SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP23247S

Boundary Force Method for Analyzing Two-Dimensional Cracked Plates

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The Boundary Force Method (BFM) was formulated for the two-dimensional stress analysis of complex crack configurations. In this method, only the boundaries of the region of interest are modeled. The boundaries are divided into a finite number of straight-line segments; at the center of each segment, concentrated forces and a moment are applied. This set of unknown forces and moments is calculated to satisfy the prescribed boundary conditions of the problem. The elasticity solution for the stress distribution due to concentrated forces and a moment applied at an arbitrary point in a cracked infinite plate is used as the fundamental solution. Thus, the crack need not be modeled as part of the boundary.

The formulation of the BFM is described, and the accuracy of the method is established by analyzing several crack configurations for which accepted stress-intensity factor solutions are known. The crack configurations investigated include Mode I and mixed-mode (Modes I and II) problems. The results obtained are, in general, within ±0.5% of accurate numerical solutions.

The versatility of the method is demonstrated through the analysis of complex crack configurations for which limited or no solutions are known.

Author Information

Tan, PW
Analytical Services and Materials, Inc., Hampton, VA
Raju, IS
Analytical Services and Materials, Inc., Hampton, VA
Newman, JC
NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
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Details
Developed by Committee: E08
Pages: 259–277
DOI: 10.1520/STP23247S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5036-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0949-0