1656_C02.

fm Page 83 Thursday, April 14, 2005 6:28 PM

Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics 83

FIGURE 2.53 Local energy release rate at the tip of a kinked crack.

The energy release rate for the kinked crack is given by

kI2 (α ) + kII2 (α )
G(α ) = (2.96)
E
Figure 2.53 is a plot of G(α) normalized by G(α = 0). The peak in G(α) at each β corresponds to
the point where kI exhibits a maximum and kII = 0. Thus, the maximum energy release rate is given by

kI2 (α ∗ )
Gmax = (2.97)
E
where α* is the angle at which both G and kI exhibit a maximum and kII = 0. Crack growth in a
homogeneous material should initiate along α*.
Figure 2.54 shows the effect of β on the optimum propagation angle. The dashed line corre-
sponds to propagation perpendicular to the remote principal stress. Note that the G max criterion
implies an initial propagation plane that differs slightly from the normal to the remote stress.

2.11.2 EQUIVALENT MODE I CRACK

Let us now introduce an effective Mode I crack that results in the same stress intensity and energy
release rate as a crack oriented at an angle β and propagating at an angle α *:

K I ( aeq ) = kI (α ∗ , β , a) (2.98)

For the special case of a through-thickness crack in an infinite plate (Figure 2.18), Equation (2.98)
becomes

[ ]
σ πaeq = σ πa cos2 βC11 (α ∗ ) + sin β cos βC12 (α ∗ ) (2.99)