Stress intensity factor for clamped SENT specimen containing non-straight crack front and side grooves

Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses (FEA) of clamped single-edge notched tension (SENT) specimens are performed to evaluate the stress intensity factor (SIF). Both the average and local SIF values over the crack front are evaluated. Plane-sided (PS) specimens containing both straight and curved crack fronts and side-grooved (SG) specimens containing straight crack fronts are considered including six average crack lengths (i.e. aave/W = 0.2-0.7). PS specimens with three thickness-to-width ratios (i.e. B/W = 0.5, 1 and 2) are analyzed. The curved crack front is assumed to be bowed symmetrically and characterized by a power-law expression with a wide range of curvatures. For SG specimens, one relative thickness (B/W = 1) and ten depths of side groove are considered. The 3D SIF are compared with the present two-dimensional (2D) SIF. It is observed that the 2D SIF are sufficient as the difference between the 2D and 3D SIFs is in general within 10% if the crack front straightness requirements reported in the literature is satisfied. An empirical 3D SIF solution is developed that can potentially serve as a driving force for an assessment in actual structures that has similar crack geometries and loading configurations.