A strain energy method for elastic-plastic analysis of notches under shear loading

Neuber's rule and the equivalent strain energy density (ESED) method are two well-known approximate approaches for elastic-plastic notch analysis. Neuber's rule often overestimates whereas the ESED method underestimates the values of notch root stresses and strains. In the present study an approximate method has been proposed, which is based on the strain energy density analysis for notches under shear loading. The proposed method has been assessed against the FEA results from the literature and a good agreement has been observed. Besides predicting notch strains for loading with predominant plastic zone, a significant improvement is found in contrast with those estimated by the Neuber's rule or the ESED method.