1656_C02.

fm Page 97 Thursday, April 14, 2005 6:28 PM

Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics 97

FIGURE A2.2 Through-thickness crack in an infinite plate loaded in biaxial tension.

Comparing Equation (A2.34) and Equation (A2.35) gives

K I = σ πa (A2.36)

for the configuration in Figure A2.2. Note that π appears in Equation (A2.36) because K was
originally defined in terms of the energy release rate; an alternative definition of stress intensity
might be

K I*
σ yy (θ = 0) = where K I* = σ a
2x *

for the plate in Figure A2.2.

Substituting Equation (A3.26) into Equation (A2.32) results in an expression of the Westergaard
stress function in terms of KI:

KI
Z ( z* ) = (A2.37)
2π z*

where z* = z − a. It is possible to solve for the singular stresses at other angles by making the
following substitution in Equation (A2.37):

z* = reiθ
where

y 
r 2 = ( x − a) 2 + y 2 and θ = tan −1 
 x − a