Improved stress intensity factors for selected configurations in cracked plates

•Improved geometry (or beta) factors were developed using 2D and 3D p-version FEA.•Four key generic geometric configurations were considered.•A broader range of parameters than currently available were analysed.•Also, a higher density of solutions were calculated.•Results are plotted and provided as compact equations or tabular data.

In this paper improved stress intensity geometry factors are determined for four key geometric configurations. They were developed using a p-version finite element method program. Two-dimensional uniaxially loaded plates are investigated, with either: an edge crack, a crack approaching a hole, or a crack propagating from a hole after ligament failure. The three-dimensional problem of a through crack in an integral stiffener approaching a junction, under uniaxial tension, is also considered. The resulting normalised stress intensity factor data are provided as compact equations or presented in tabular form.