Analysis of effective parameters for stress intensity factors in the contact problem between an asymmetric wedge and a half-plane using an experimental method of photoelasticity

Photoelasticity was utilized as an experimental stress analysis tool to determine the stress intensity factors for the contact problem between a half-plane with an edge crack and an asymmetric tilted wedge. The effect of contact force magnitude as well as the angle, length, and position of the crack on mode I and II stress intensity factors were studied and discussed. Analysis of the experimental results is based on fracture mechanics, optical properties of materials, and the correlation between fringe patterns and the distribution of stress in transparent materials (i.e., polycarbonate). Image processing was utilized to extract details from the images acquired from the plate under loading. The finite element method was also used to calculate the stress intensity factors. Experimental and finite element results were in good agreement; however, there are some limitations on the application of photoelasticity method.

► Contact of a tilted wedge with an infinite plane containing an edge crack is studied.
► Stress intensity factors (SIFs) are extracted using photoelasticity and FEM methods.
► Contact force, crack angle and different geometries significantly affect SIFs.
► SIF values from numerical and experimental methods match well.
► Limitations on employing the photoelasticity technique to extract SIFs are discussed.