General point load weight function for semi-elliptical crack in finite thickness plates

• The GPLWF is derived for semi-elliptical crack in finite thickness plates.
• SIFs for any point along crack front are calculated easily using the GPLWF.
• SIFs for any 2D stress field on crack face are calculated using the GPLWF.
• In industrial stress fields, deepest and surface points are not always critical.
• The GPLWF can be used to determine the new pattern of fatigue crack growth.

General point load weight function for semi-elliptical crack in finite thickness plates is derived. It is used to calculate stress intensity factors for any point along the crack front with the crack faces under two dimensional stress distributions. The comparison between the results obtained from the derived weight function and those available in literature is presented, indicating a good accuracy. In order to determine the pattern of crack growth, and to estimate fatigue life, this weight function can be easily used in plates as applied in industry under complicated stress fields such as residual stress field due to welding.