Sress and strain concentration factors for plate with small notch subjected to biaxial loading - Three dimensional finite element analysis

The through-thickness variations of stress and strain concentration factors for plate with small central notch, circular notch or double U-notch, subjected to uniaxial and biaxial loading have been systematically analyzed by using three dimensional finite element method (3D FEM). It is found that the maximum stress and strain concentration factors occur on the mid plane of plate only in the case of thin plate. However, in the case of thick plates, the sites of these maximum values are found near the plate surface. Furthermore, this site is more close to the plate surface in the case of small notch radius and/or large plate thickness. The stress and strain concentration factors increase with decreasing the biaxial ratio at the plate interior, while, the opposite trend is found at the plate surface.