A generalized weight function for cracks emanated from sharp and blunt V-notches

This paper presents a generalized weight function which applicable to cracks initiated from V-notches with sharp or blunt tips. The proposed function is based on the composition solution of the weight function of an edge crack in a semi-infinite plate. For obtaining the proper relation, two correction factors are used to express the effects of the notch depth, root radius, and opening angle. Each factor can be applied separately to present only the effects of the notch depth or root radius to improve solutions that proposed in the earlier studies. This method can be used for studying the effects of the notch parameters and loading conditions on the stress intensity factors of the notch cracks. The accuracy of the proposed function was verified by comparing the results with finite element data for a case study.