On Scale Effect in Plates Weakened by Rounded V-Notches and Subjected to In-Plane Shear Loading

It is now well-known that in plate problems with through-the-thickness cracks in-plane shear and anti-plane loadings generate coupled three-dimensional fracture modes. The dominance domain and intensity of the singular states associated with these 3D fracture modes are functions of the intensity of the primary loading (KII and KIII) and Poisson's ratio. A similar situation takes place for V-shaped notches. However, for geometrically similar notch geometries subjected the same nominal stress the intensity of the coupled modes is also a function of the plate thickness. Despite this almost all 3D effects are currently ignored in industrial standards and fracture assessment codes. Recent theoretical and numerical studies have demonstrated that in many practical situations the intensities of the coupled fracture modes for cracks and sharp notches are not negligible and can influence fracture conditions. The current paper extends this conclusion to rounded notches. By using the finite element modelling it is demonstrated that the intensity of the stress states associated with the coupled fracture modes in a sufficiently thick plate weakened by a rounded notch can exceed the magnitude of stresses due to the primary loading. This means that the coupled modes can dominate the stress state in the vicinity of the notch root and be primary responsible for fracture initiation