Evaluation of stress intensity factor for a partially patched crack using an approximate weight function

Abstract

A cracked plate with a patch bonded on one side was treated with a crack-bridging model using weight function : assuming continuous distribution of springs acting between the crack surfaces, the stress intensity factor of the patched crack was numerically obtained. Especially in the case of a patched crack subjected to residual non-uniform stress, the stress intensity factor was easily with the corresponding approximate weight function. This paper presented the stress intensity factors for a crack partially patched within a finite plate or a patched crack initiated from a notch.