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Energy density approach to calculation of inelastic strain-stress

near notches and cracks

Article  in  Engineering Fracture Mechanics · December 1985

DOI: 10.1016/0013-7944(85)90148-1

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Engineering Frrrcfure Mechanics Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 485-508, 1985 0013-7944/x5 $3.00 + .(M
Printed in the U.S.A. G 1985 Pergamon Press Ltd.

ENERGY DENSITY APPROACH TO CALCULATION OF

INELASTIC STRAIN-STRESS NEAR NOTCHES AND
CRACKS

G. GLINKAi
University College London, Department of Mechanical Engineering, London Centre for
Marine Technology, Torrington Place, London, WCIE 7JE, U.K.

Abstract-An energy-based method of calculating elastic-plastic strains and stresses near

notches and cracks is presented. It was assumed that the strain energy density in the plastic
zone ahead of a notch can be calculated on the basis of the elastic stress-strain solution. Good
agreement between the calculated and measured notch strains was obtained for several notches,
materials and loading conditions. It was shown that the assumption holds up to general plastic
yielding. This method can also be applied in uniaxial and multiaxial stress states. A numerical
procedure suitable for any material stress-strain curve is presented. Some possibilities con-
cerning elastic-plastic stress-strain calculation near cracks are also discussed.

NOTATION
thickness
notch depth or notch length
stress deviator
modulus of elasticity
modulus of elasticity “corrected” for the plane strain condition in the notch tip
local elastic strain tensor
local elastic strain components in the Cartesian coordinates
nominal strain
area
strength coefficient of the uniaxial u-e curve
strength coefficient of the plane strain a:+:, curve
stress intensity factor
theoretical elastic stress concentration factor
elastic-plastic strain concentration factor
elastic-plastic stress concentration factor
stress concentration factor at distance (x/p) ahead of the notch tip
width
bending moment
strain hardening exponent
load
stress components ratio
coefficient corresponding to the ith linear element of the material V--E curve
radial coordinate in the polar coordinate system
radius of plastic zone
local elastic stress tensor
nominal stress
local elastic stress components in the Cartesian coordinates
strain energy density due to the local elastic stress field
strain energy density due to the nominal stress S,,
strain energy density due to the local elastic-plastic strain-stress field
strain energy density due to the stress component ur
strain energy density due to the stress component (T,
distance from the center of notch tip curvature in the plane .v = 0
section modulus
Kronecker’s delta: 6,, = I for i = j, 6,, = 0 for i # j
strain
local elastic-plastic strain tensor
elastic strain contribution
plastic strain contribution
Neuber’s elastic-plastic strain in the notch tip
local elastic-plastic strain components in plane stress conditions; Cartesian coordinates
local elastic-plastic strain components in plane strain conditions: Cartesian co-ordinates
strain range
strain range corresponding to the ith linear element of the material a--e curve

ton leave from Warsaw Technical University, Warsaw, Poland.

48.5
486 G. GLINKA
parameter representing the level of accuracy of the numerical solution
generalized Poisson’s coeffkient
Poisson’s coefficient
notch tip radius
stress
local in elastic-plastic regime stress tensor
local stress components in elastic-plastic plane stress condition; Cartesian coordinates
local stress components in elastic-plastic plane strain condition; Cartesian coordinates
effective stress
Neuber’s elastic-plastic stress in the notch tip
yield strength
stress range
stress range corresponding to the ith linear element of the material a-r curve

1. INTRODUCTION
THE LOCALinelastic stresses and strains near notches and cracks are very important for fracture
analysis cf cyclically[ 1, 21 and monotonically[3] loaded machine elements. Accurate calcula-
tions of these strains and stresses by rigorous analytical or finite-element methods are lengthy
and expensive. Therefore several approximate methods have been used; these have been re-
viewed lately by Seeger et af.[4]. The most frequently used relation was derived by Neuber[S],
and its more general form was given by Seeger and Heuler[6]. However, it was found[7-91
that Neuber’s rule may overestimate the local inelastic strains and stresses. An alternative
method based on the energy density criterion was proposed by Molski and Glinka[91. Verifi-
cation of this method in a more general form is presented below.
The application of this method for notches under tension and bending, including the effect
of stress multiaxiality near the notch tip, is discussed. Some possibilities for calculating the
inelastic strain near cracks are also analyzed.

2. ENERGY DENSITY AND THE THEORETICAL STRESS CONCENTRATION FACTOR

There are several methods and solutions available concerning the calculation of elastic stress
and strain near notches and cracks[lO-121. Schijve[l3] has shown that the elastic stress dis-
tributions near different notches are similar to each other and can be satisfactorily characterized
by two parameters: the notch radius p and the stress concentration factor Kr. The availability
of elastic notch stress-strain solutions enables us to calculate the energy density distribution
ahead of a notch tip:

Crj

ws = Sij deij. (1)

It was also shown by Hutchinson[l4], for cracks, and by Walker[3], for deep sharp notches,
that in the case of localized plastic yielding the energy density distribution in the plastic zone
is almost the same as in linear elastic material. This means that, in the presence of localized
small-scale plastic yielding, the gross linear elastic behaviour of the material surrounding the
notch also controls the deformations in the plastic zone. Thus, it can be concluded that the
energy density W, in the plastic zone is equal to that calculated on the basis of the elastic
solution:

PI,

Ws = W, or Sij deij = uij deij.

The stress state at the notch tip (Fig. 1) is reduced to the uniaxial stress state in the case of
plane stress condition and to the biaxial stress state under plane strain condition. This makes
it possible to simplify the energy density calculation under both elastic and elastic-plastic
conditions. However, in order to calculate the energy density due to the elastic-plastic strain
and stress, a nonlinear stress-strain relation has to be applied. The one most often used is the
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress

(b) Mb

Fig. 1. Elastic and plastic stress concentration in (a) central notch under tension, (b) edge notch
under bending.

Ramberg-Osgood relation
l/n

E = E, + Ep = a
E
+ cr

0z . (3)

Plane stress condition

In entirely elastic cases the stress at the notch tip can be calculated as

S, = K,. S,. (4)

Thus eqn (2) can be written in the form

(K . S,J2 s:
(5)
2E =%?

It means that the elastic strain energy density Ws at the notch tip is equal to the product of
the strain energy density WS, due to the nominal stress S, and the square of the stress con-
centration KF :

K:Ws, = W,. (6)

488 G. GLINKA

In the presence of localized yielding at the notch tip, the energy density should be calculated
in respect to relation (3) and eqn (6) takes the form

(7)

If the nominal stress S, is also beyond the proportionality limit, eqn (6) takes the form

However, it should be pointed out that the energy equations (2) and (6) are valid for the elastic
case only. The validity of these equations for localized [eqn (7)] and more advanced [eqn (8)]
plastic yielding is hypothetical and has to be verified.
Relation (3) and relations (7) and (8), if they are valid, enable one to calculate the inelastic
stress a, and strain ey at the notch tip for given nominal stress S, and stress concentration K,.

Plane strain condition

In the case of plane strain condition, there is a biaxial stress state at the notch tip. However,
the energy density W, is contributed by the stress component a, only because the components
ox, crXYand E, vanish. This makes it possible to derive the implicit relation between the al and
E; components in the plane strain condition by using the generalized constitutive relation

(9)

where

Uz = $Dij . Dij, Dlj = uij - +ukkSijs

Dowling[l] has shown that by assuming uX = a,, = E, = 0 at the notch tip and by satisfying
relation (9), the uniaxial stress-strain curve [eqn (3)] can be translated into an analogous plane
strain relation by using eqns (10) and (II), respectively:

4 = v/(1 _ ; + F2) ’
(10)

41 - p2)
(11)
Ei = d(l - p + f.?) ’

where

v + E42u
’ = 1 + EEJU

With the corresponding ai and e$ values in the plane strain condition known, the parameters
E’, K’ and n’ analogous to those in the uniaxial curve [eqn (3)] can be determined. Then the
two analogous equations in the plane stress condition can be used for the inelastic strain EI
and the a; stress calculation at the notch tip:

(12)

(13)
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 489

Interpretation of the energy-based method vs. Neuber’s rule

Neuber[S] has derived the relation between the local inelastic strain EN and stress (TN and
the nominal stress S, in the form of

If the nominal and local stresses are elastic, eqn (14) can be written as

This means that, in the elastic case, the energy approach and Neuber’s rule are the same. In
the case of localized plasticity, however, Neuber’s rule [eqn (14)] takes the form of eqn (16)
where the right side no longer represents the strain energy density:

K: . 2 =; (TNEN = y [F + (!$“I . (16)

Seeger and Heuler[6] have shown that eqn (14) can also be applied for nominal stresses higher
than the limit of proportionality, by using the nonlinear stress-strain relation (3) for calculating
both the nominal and local strains:

(17)

Relations (3) and (16) or (3) and (17) enable one to calculate the inelastic strain and stress at
the notch tip for given nominal stress S, and stress concentration factor K,.
Graphical interpretations of relations (7) and (16) and relations (8) and (17) are given in Figs.
2(a) and (b), respectively. In general, to calculate the local stresses and strains according to

..i......_.
_.,...,
. . .._........
..C. _.....,..C
.,. _.:_.... . . . . .._._
. . . ..C. .L._. ,..C ..C. .._., . . . . . .

0
‘Y lN c

(a)

lY ‘N ’
(b)

Fig. 2. Graphic interpretation of the energy-based method and Neuber’s rule in (a) the linear
range of the nominal stress A’,, (b) the nonlinear range of the nominal stress S,.
490 G. GLINKA

the energy-based equation (7), a point A (uy, E,,) on the stress-strain curve needs to be found
such that the area OCAB [Fig. 2(a)] is equal to the strain density W, = K: W,,,. In order to
calculate the local stress and strain using Neuber’s rule [eqn (16)], we have to find a point A ’
(UN, EN) on the stress-strain curve so that the area of the triangle OA’B’ is equal to W,, =
K: W,, .
If the nominal stress S, is higher than the limit of proportionality, eqn (8) represents the
energy-based method. In order to calculate the local strain and stress, a point A (u,., ey) on the
stress-strain curve [Fig. 2(b)] needs to be found such that the area OCAB is equal to the strain
energy density W, = Kf Ws,. In order to calculate the local strain and stress using the gen-
eralized Neuber’s rule [eqn (17)], we have to find a point A ’ (a,, eN) on the stress-strain curve
[Fig. 2(b)] so that the area FoAfB, of triangle OA’B’ is equal to the area Foc-~, of triangle OCD
multiplied by K::

However, it should not be expected that relations (8) and (17) are applicable far above the yield
limit, because the stress concentration factor K, will not be valid under general yielding. It can
also be concluded that in the presence of plastic yielding, higher local strains are predicted by
Neuber’s rule. The differences in strain estimation between these two methods depend on the
nominal stress level S,, stress concentration factor K, and strain hardening exponent II. Higher
differences are expected for plastic material (n + 0) and high K, values.

3. NUMERICAL TECHNIQUE
Because the analytical solutions of the set of eqns (3) and (8) or (3) and (17) are not available,
a numerical technique was employed. The first, the stress-strain material curve had to be given
in a convenient form. Therefore, it was useful to approximate the experimental U--E curve with
a series of linear elements (Fig. 3) characterized by corresponding ranges of stress 6ui and
strain &i. This made it possible to use any U--E curve without limiting the calculations to the
curves of the Ramberg-Osgood [eqn (3)] type only.
According to the interpretation given in Fig. 2, the solution of the set of eqns (3) and (8)
means finding such a point A (a,, l Y) on the U--E curve [eqn (3)] in order to satisfy eqn (8) for
given nominal stress S, and the stress concentration factor K,. The energy density W.S,, is
represented by the area OCD under the U--E curve (Fig. 2), and the energy W,, by the area
OAB. Thus, the numerical procedure could be reduced to appropriate calculation of the areas
under the piecewise-linear stress-strain curve. Therefore, the procedure is based on the analysis
of three matrices {6oi}, {Sei} and {Pi}, similar to the procedure employed by Nelson and Fuchs
in Ref. [l]. The values of coefftcients Pi reflect the direction of loading and the degree of
utilization of each linear element. The coefficients Pi can change within the range - 1 G Pi G
1. It was assumed that eqn (8), represented in general by relation (6), would be satisfied when
the required degree of accuracy had been achieved:

K: . Ws, - Wcr d
rl. (19)
K: * Ws,,

The energy Ws,, for given nominal stress S,, can be calculated from

ws, = ; 6u, * 8E, 6Ej * Pj . (20)

1

The number of linear elements N which have to be used in relation (20) and the corresponding
values of coefficients Pi can be found from

S, = 2I SUi
i=
’ Pi. (21)
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 491

.- - - -- _---_--- _---_ - --

8q

.-- .---- -----

Ba3

_-- -
I
I
I
“5
I
I

Fig. 3. Piecewise approximation of the material stress-strain curve.

The energy W, should be calculated according to

(22)

Finally, the number of linear elements M and corresponding Pi values have to be found from
relation (19) by an iterative technique. Then the values of the local stress a, and strain ey can
be calculated:

Uy = 2 SUi’ Pi, (23)

i= I

Ey = 2 8Ej * Pi. (234

i= I

The same procedure can be applied for Neuber’s rule, except that the parameters Ws,z and W,
in relation (19) have to be replaced by the products Snen and UNEN, respectively:

Snen =
(icl
2 Su.I * P.1) * ($, ,.iPi) ’ (24)

UNEN = ($, gut ’ pi) ’ (;, 6eiPi) . (244

The total number of linear elements which should be used for the approximation of the U--E
curve [eqns (3)] depends on the shape of the curve and required accuracy. Ten linear elements
and r) = 0.0001 were used in the program given in the Appendix.
492 G. GLJNKA

4. CALCULATION VS. EXPERIMENTS

Several different materials and notches in tension and bending were analyzed. The calculated
strains at the notch tip were compared with the experimentally measured ones.

Notches in p&me stress tension

Plots of the Kt * S, values vs. the calculated and measured strains in the tip of a central
elliptic hole in a finite-width plate made of aluminium alloy 2024 T351 are shown in Fig. 4. The
piecewise U--E curve is also shown in the figure. It is surprising that the energy-based method
[eqn (8)] gave good strain predictions up to the general yielding, e.g. up to S,Z = oy. Contrar-
iwise, Neuber’s rule, as it was reported earlier[8, 91, overestimated the local strain E,. Inelastic
strains in the central circular notch of a tensile plate made of aluminium alloy A157S were
studied by Theocaris and Marketos[lS]. Good agreement (Fig. 5) between the calculated and
measured strains was achieved on the basis of the energy-based method, whereas Neuber’s
rule overpredicted the strains by almost 20%.
A similar notch configuration was studied by Seeger ef al.[4] in a specimen made of St30
steel under cyclic loading. In this case the stable cyclic stress-strain curve was used for the
calculations:

(2.5)

The experimental and calculated local strains, including the cyclic piecewise (T--Ecurve, are
shown in Fig. 6. Both the energy-based method and Neuber’s rule gave good notch strain
estimation up to the nominal stress amplitude ASS,/2 = gY.
Good results based on the energy method were also obtained for deep edge notches in flat
specimens (Fig. 7) made of high-strength alloy steel USS T-l, tested by Theocaris and Mar-
ketos[l6]. However, the notch strains calc~ated on the basis of Neuber’s rule were overes-
timated by more than 30%.
The semicircular shallow edge notch (Fig. 8) in a flat specimen made of 5-mm-thick allu-

t
D/L * q/6
P
%l=-
I L-D)6

K,. 4.6

I I I I I I I I ‘ I I t-1 -
” ’ ”
0.01
1 i ”
0.02
” I “I
0.03
” ”
0.04
’ ” 0.05 0.06 0.07

Fig. 4. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in a specimen with an elliptic central hole
(AI 2024 T351 alloy; 171).
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 493

600
Ktuy
--_-____--____-_---_ _--_______-____------

/’

1’ 2p/D = l/3
/ / 1’ , /’ 1’, /- , , , , , 0 experlmental
, , , , , ]

0.005 0.01 0.015

lY
Fig. 5. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in a specimen with a circular central hole
(Al 57s alloy; [15]).

P
s, = -
CL -2p)B
K+- 2.47
eqn (El)
2WL = l/5
\

0.01 0.02
A./2

Fig. 6. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in a specimen with a circular central
hole
under cycling loading (St30 steel; [4]).
 494
G.GLINKA

K+= 2.96
D/L= t/2

_----
U’y

0 0.005 0.01 0.015

Fig. 7. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in a specimen with two symmetrical edge
notches (USS T-lsteel; (161).

rn~~~~rnaltoy HS30 plate was studied by the author. Twa specimens were tested under mon-
otonic tension loading. However, bending stresses were also produced in the net section because
the load was applied at the centre line of the gross section. The notch strains were measured
with O.Zmm-long strain gauges. Again, good predictions were obtained on the basis of the
energy method, whereas Neuber’s rule overestimated the notch plastic strains by more than
20%
The experimental results (Figs. 4, 7 and 8) confirm the previously derived conclusion that
Neuber’s rule would give less accurate predictions for plastic materials, e.g. for materials with
a flat stress-strain Curve (a 4 0). On the other hand, the accuracy of the energy-based method
did not depend on the material stress-strain characteristic or the notch geometry. It was also
found that the accuracy of the notch strain peculations depends on the accuracy of the O--E
curve around the point of the beginning of plastic yidding. It is especially important in the case
of high nominal stress S,.

Notches in plane stress bending

It is worth noting that within some range of the nominal bending stress S, > or, only localized
piastic yielding can occur in the anaiysed section, whereas under tensile loading plastic yielding
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 495

of the whole section would occur. Therefore, the energy density Ws, at the notch tip can be
calculated on the basis of bending elastic stress [eqn (26)]
even if it is higher than the yield
strength (Ty:

This means that, under bending loading, relation (7) should be used for the energy-based method
and relation (16) for Neuber’s rule. Under prevailing tension loading, relations (8) and (17)
should be used, respectively.
By including Kr = 1 in eqn (7), plastic stress and strain of the partially yielded smooth
element in bending can be calculated.
Notch strains due to cyclic loading were measured by Dowling and Wilson[l7] in a blunt
notched compact specimen made of AISI 4340 steel. Therefore, the stabilized cyclic Au/i?--AC/
2 curve [eqn (25)] was used in calculations. It was evident (Fig. 9) that, under bending loading,
the energy-based method gives good results for nominal stress S, higher than the yield strength
oy. Again, the strains calculated on the basis of Neuber’s rule were higher than the measured
ones.
An experimentally measured notch strain in the keyhole specimen made of Man-Ten steel
was reported by Dowling and Brose in Ref. [I]. The strains were measured under cyclic loading
and again the stable AU/~-Ad2 curve [eqn (231was used in calculations. Good results (Fig.
10) were obtained on the basis of both analysed methods, with slight overprediction in the case
of Neuber’s rule.

600

;;
k
- 400
u;
3

QY
200

I I I I I I I I I I I f I-
0 0.005 0.0 I 0.015

“Y

Fig. 8. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in specimen with a single semicircular edge
notch (Al HS30 alloy).
496 G. GLlNKA

L
a
3000
P
s i: 2P(2L+a)
” (L-a)*B
Kt= 2.62

/ ~

/ \ eqn (16)
/

experimental

Fig. 9. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in a blunt notched compact tension specimen
(AISI 4340 steel; [17]).

Circumferential notch in tension

The inelastic strains in the circumferential notch in a round bar, under tension loading, were
analysed by Mowbray and McConeleell81 using the finite-element method. Because biaxial
stress state occurred in the circumferential notch, the so-called plane strain stress-strain curve
was used in the calculations (Fig. 11). The plane strain oJ,-e;, curve [eqn (12)] was determined
on the basis of the uniaxial U--E curve by using relations (IO) and (11). Then relations (13) and
(17) were used for the notch strain calculation. The results obtained on the basis of the uniaxial
u-e curve were also included in Fig. 11. Better results were obtained by using the plane strain
c$--E~ curve. Acceptable agreement was obtained also on the basis of Neuber’s rule; however,
higher notch strain overestimation occurred in the case of the sharper notch with the stress
concentration factor lu, = 3.44.

5. INELASTIC STRAINS AHEAD OF A NOTCH TIP

The experiments show that the energy relation (2) at the notch tip holds up to the nominal
stress S, = uJy. It would be interesting to verify how far from the notch tip this uniaxial approach
 calculation of inelastic strain-stress 497

can be used. However, the energy calculation ahead of the notch tip is more complicated,
mainly due to the multiaxial stress state. But the stress component a, is small near the notch
tip, and, therefore, the uniaxial approach seems to be justified, at least over some distance
from the notch tip. The results reported by Theocaris and Marketos[lS, 161 and Huang[19]
suggest that the energy density contribution due to the stress component a, is also small. In
the elastic regime the energy density contribution due to stress component cr., near the circular
notch is usually not higher than 10%.
Relation (8) with the variable stress concentration factor K&/p) was used in the calculation,
The stress concentration factor K,(x/p) was calculated as a ratio of the elastic stress a,(&) to
the nominal stress S,:

(27)

Again the experimental results reported by Theocaris and Marketos[lS, 161 were used for
comparison. The elastic stress distribution crJx/p) ahead of the circular hole was determined
on the basis of Howland’s solution[lO]. The elastic stress distribution u&/p) ahead of the
double-edge notch was determined on the basis of the experimental data given in Ref. [16].
The elastic stress concentration factors K,(xlp) are shown in Fig. 12. The calculated and ex-
perimental eY strain distribution are shown in Figs. 13 and 14 for the circular and double-edge
notch, respectively.
It is obvious that the uniaxial energy-based method underestimated the inelastic strains ahead
of a notch. This is especially true for high nominal stress S, when the assumption about the
localized plastic yielding was violated. However, when the plastic zone was not larger than
the notch tip radius, the differences between the measured and calculated strains were less
than 15%. For smaller plastic zones the results may be better. There are two main reasons for
this discrepancy, the stress redistribution due to the local unloading caused by plastic yielding
and the multiaxial stress state, However, the stress redistribution seems to be more impo~ant
than the multiaxial stress state. If the condition of the localized plastic yielding is not violated,
the difference between the calculated and experimentally measured strains E,, is seldom higher

t
S, -- 2P(2L*af

Fig. 10. Theoretical and experimental notch strains in a keyhole specimen (Man-Ten steel; [I]).
498 G. GLlNKA

4P
1001 :+--

K+=

;;
4
- 50(
5
P

.Lr
Y

o l Finite Element Method

I - eqn (13) plone strain
I --.. eqn (17) plone strain
f -_ -* eqn (181 plone stress
I

Fig. Il. Theoretical and FEN-~aIcuiated notch strains in a round bar with a circumferential
U-notch (Cr-Mo alloy steel; [IS]).

than 10% over the whole plastic zone. Therefore, the uniaxial energy-based approach can be
used for approximate determination of the inelastic strain distribution in the plastic zone ahead
of a notch tip. However, the simple uniaxial approach can be used only for blunt notches and
small plastic zones.

6. INELASTIC STRESS-STRESS CALCULATION AHEAD OF A CRACK TIP

In the case of sharp, deep notches and cracks, the stress components uX and ET,are relatively
higher than ahead of blunt notches. The stress redistribution is also larger owing to the more
intensive plastic yielding ahead of the crack tip. Therefore, the plastic zone size ahead of a
crack tip is larger than could be deduced on the basis of the elastic stress distribution.
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 499

The energy density in the plastic zone also has to be higher than could be calculated from
the elastic stresses and strains. According to the analysis given by Knott[20], the plastic zone
size ahead of a crack tip is about two times larger than that estimated on the basis of elastic
stress distribution (Fig. 15). It can be concluded that the energy density in the plastic zone
ahead of a crack tip should also be two times higher than that estimated on the basis of the
elastic stress-strain distribution. Therefore, in the case of sharp, deep notches and cracks, the
left side of the general equation (2) representing the energy density due to the hypothetical
elastic stress should be muItiplied by a factor of 2.
Because the meaning of the stress concentration factor in a multiaxial stress state is not
clear, it is better to use the energy equation in the general form [eqn (2)], which has the same
interpretation in both the uniaxial and muitiaxial stress state.
The elastic stress distribution ahead of a crack tip in plane stress condition can be calculated
as

(284

However, because of the plastic yielding and stress redistribution (Fig. IS), the hypothetical
elastic stresses ahead of the crack tip are higher than those given by relation (28). According

Fig. 12. Elastic stress concentration ahead of a notch tip: (a) ahead of a edge notch[lt;], fb)
ahead of a central circular notch[lS].
 G. GLINKA

0 0 experimental
-zeqn (8)

Fig. 13. Theoretical and experimental strains ahead of a circular notch (Al 57s alloy; [15)1.

to the analysis given by KnottllZO], the hypothetical elastic stresses and strains should rather
be calculated as

e, = ey = -g&y)
(1 - u).

This is equivalent to Irwin’s correction of the stress intensity factor for the plastic zone[21].
Because all the stress components ahead of the crack tip are relatively high, none of them
can be neglected. Therefore, the energy density WS should be calculated as
2
1 Kr
- . (1 - u)* (301
ws = E ( d/(m) 1

The strain energy density W, has to be calculated on the basis of the nonlinear relation (9).
The stress-strain relations in plane strain conditions derived from the constitutive equation (9)
are

where
 Calculation of ineiastic strain-stress 501

It is also reasonable to assume that the stress components increase proportionally with the
increasing load and that the stress ratio p = ~,/a, is maintained constant during loading. This
makes it possible to calculate both strain components as a function of one stress component cry:

(33)

(34)

where

The stress ratio p depends on the notch geometry and strain hardening exponent n. However,
it was shown by ~ut~hinson[l4] and Shih[22] that the p ratio for cracks varied within a very

0 * experiment

-Z eqn (8)

s”= 435 MPo

X’P
Fig. 14. Theoretical and experimental strains ahead of an edge notch (USSTI steel; [16]).
502 G. GLINKA

small range of 0.52 =z p c 0.64, which corresponded to the stress hardening exponent range
0.077 6 n s 0.33. This enables ane to calculate the strain energy density with reasonable
accuracy by choosing an approximate value of p within the above given range. The energy
density contributions due to both stress components can be calculated by appropriate integra-
tion of eons (33) and (34):

where

It is interesting to note that for the p values within the range 0.52 s p c 0.64 and for v = 0.3
the energy density W,, contributed by the stress component crXwas less than 5% of the total
energy W,.

Fig. 15. Stress redistribution ahead of a crack tip due to the plastic yietding.
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 503

0.03

0.01

0 0.1 0.2
xtmm)
Fig. 16. Theoretical strain distribution ahead of a crack tip in E36 steel; K, = 16.2 MPa Vm.

Hutchinson (14)

1 I 8 II I / I 1 I I , , , , 1 , ,1 2rp
0 0.05 0.1 0.15
x (mm)

Fig. 17. Theoretical stress distribution ahead of a crack tip in E36 steel; KI = 16.2 MPa Vm.
504 G. GLINKA

Relations (Z), (30), (34) and (3.5) were used to calculate inelastic strain and stress ahead of
a crack tip in the French steel E36[23] whose stress-strain curve parameters [eqn (3)] were E
= 206,000 MPa, K = 2170 MPa and n = 0.21. The mean value p = 0.58 was assumed foi
calculation. The strains and stresses calculated for stress intensity factor K, = 16.2 MPa \/m
are shown in Figs. 16 and 17, respectively. The strains and stresses determined on the basis
of Hutchinson’s solution [14] and the elastic strain and stress distributions calculated from eqns
(29) and (29a) are also shown in those figures.
The coincidence of the energy-based method with Hutchinson’s solution was surprisingly
good, especially within the range of the Hutchinson solution dominance, estimated as l/5 of
the plastic zone size i;l. At the boundary of the plastic zone (Fig. 16) and the elastic field, the
energy-based solution approaches the elastic strain distribution, which is very reasonable. Thus.
it enables one to calculate the elastic-plastic strains beyond the dominance range of Hutch-
inson’s solution. Similar, more elaborate analysis, however, is also possible for plane strain
conditions, but is beyond the scope of this paper. Verification of this method against rigorous
finite-element solutions would also be appropriate.
It should be noted that in the high strain region the elastic terms in relations (31), (32) and
(37) can be neglected, and a relation between the plastic strain and stress intensity factor can
be derived analogous to that derived by Hutchinson in Ref. 1141.

7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

A method for calculating inelastic strains and stresses near notches has been derived. The
method was based on the assumption that the strain energy density distribution in the plastic
zone ahead of a notch tip is the same as that determined on the basis of the pure elastic stress-
strain solution. Therefore, application of the method was limited to the cases in which the
plastic zone was small in comparison with the surrounding elastic field. The experiments have
shown that the energy-based equations related to the notch tip hold up to the beginning of the
general plastic yielding. It has also been shown that Neuber’s rule has the same energy density
interpretation in the elastic regime, but that Neuber’s stress-strain product does not represent
energy density in the elastic-plastic regime. Therefore, the difference between these two meth-
ods was higher for plastic materials and high stress concentration factors.
It has been shown that the energy-based method can be used in both the plane stress and
plane strain conditions. The numerical technique employed makes it possible to calculate the
inelastic stress and strain for any material stress-strain curve.
The difference between the calculated and measured notch strains were smaller than 10%
in all analysed cases. It was shown that the uniaxial energy-based method can also be used for
approximate strain calculation within the plastic zone ahead of the notch tip. In the case of a
small plastic zone the error due to the unaxial approximation was generally not higher than
15%.
However, the stress redistribution due to the local plastic yielding and the multiaxial stress
state cannot be ignored in the case of sharp, deep notches and cracks. The results obtained on
the basis of the energy-based method were very close to those obtained by Hutchinson, using
more rigorous analysis. Realistic strain estimation was also obtained beyond the region of
Hutchinson’s solution dominance. Thus, it is possible to calculate the elastic-plastic strains
and stresses over the entire plastic zone ahead of the crack tip.
It can be concluded that the energy-based method makes it possible to calculate the elastic-
plastic strains and stresses ahead of a notch or crack if appropriate elastic stress-strain solutions
and the material stress-strain curves are known.
Good agreement was achieved for both monotonic and cyclic loading. The numerical tech-
nique employed in the calculations is suitable for notch stress-strain simulation under cyclic
loading and can be easily included into fatigue life prediction computer programs based on the
notch stress-strain analysis.

REFERENCES
[I] Fatigue under Complex Loading, Advunrrs in Engineering (Edited by R. M. Wetzei), VoI. 6. Society of Automotive
Engineers, Warrendale, Pa. (19791.
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 505

121B. N. Leis and N. D. Frey, Cyclic-inelastic deformation and fatigue resistance of notched-thin aiuminium plates.
Experimental Mech. 22, 287-295 (1982).
[31 T. J. Walker, A quantitative strain-and-stress state criterion for failure in the vicinity of sharp cracks. Nuclear
Technol. 23, 189-203 (1974).
I41 T. Seeger, A. Beste and A. Amsutz, Elastic-plastic stress-strain behaviour ofmonotonicand cydic loaded notched
plates. Fracture 1977, Pruc. 4th Int, Co& on Frucfwe {Edited by D. M. R. Taplin), Vol. 4, pp. 943-951. University
of Waterloo Press. Ontario, Canada (1977).
PI H. Neuber. Theorv of stress concentration for shear-strained prismatic bodies with arbitrary nonlinear stress-
strain law. J. Appi Me&. 28, 544-W (1969).
[61 T. Seeger and P. Heuler, Generalized application of Neuber’s rule. J. Test. Eval. 8, 199-204 (1980).
I71 B. N. Leis, C. V. B. Gowda and T. H. Topper, Some studies of the influence of localized and gross plasticity on
the monotonic and cyclic concentration factors. J. Test. Evai. 1, 341-348 (1973).
@I A. Conle and H. Nowack, Verification of a Neuber-based notch analysis by the companion specimen method.
Experimentui Mech. 17, 57-63 (1977).
191 K. Molski and G. Glinka, A method of elastic-plastic stress and strain calcufation at a notch root. Mater. Sci.
Engng 50, 93-100 (1981).
IlOl R. C. J. Howland, On the stresses in the neighbourhood of a circular hole in a strip under tension. Philosophical
Trans. Royal Sot. London, Series A 229, 49-86 (1930).
[l I] R. E. Peterson, Stress Concentration Design Fucfors. John Wiley, New York (1953).
[12] H. Neuber, Theory of Notch Stresses. J. W. Edwards, Ann Arbor, Michigan (1946).
1131 J. Schijve, Stress gradients around notches. Rep. LR-297, Delft University of Technology, Department of Aero-
space Engineering, Delft (1980).
[14] J. W. Hutchinson, Singular behaviour at the end of a tensile crack in a hardening material. J. Mech. Phys. Solids
16, 13-31 (1968).
[15] P. S. Theocaris and E. Marketos, Elastic-plastic analysis of perforated thin strips of a strain-hardening material.
.I. Mech. Phys. Solids 12, 377-390 (1964).
[ 161 P. S. Theocaris and E. Marketos, Elastic-plastic strain and stress distribution in notched plates under plane stress.
f. Mech. Phys. Solids 11, 411-428 (1963).
[I71 N. Dowling and N. K. Wilson. Analysis of notch strain for cyclic loading. Scientific paper 79-lD3-PALFA-P2,
Westinghouse R & D Center, Pittsburgh (1979).
[IS] D. F. Mowbray and J. E. McConnellee, Applications of finite element stress analysis and stress-strain properties
in determining notch fatigue specimen deformation and life. Cyclic stress-strain behaviour analysis, experimen-
tation and failure prediction. ASTM STP 519, 151 (1973).
[I91 W.-C. Huang, Theoretical study of stress concentration at circular holes and inclusions in strain hardening ma-
terials. lnt. J. Solids Struct. 8, 149-192 (1972).
[20] J. F. Knott, Fmtdumentuts ofFracture Mechanics. Buttenvorths, London-Boston, pp. 67-68 (1973).
1211 G. R. Irwin, Linear fracture mechanics, fracture transition and fracture control. Engng ~ruct~4re Me&. 1, 241-
257 (1968).
1221 C. F. Shih. Elastic-plastic anaiysis of combined mode crack problems. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University, Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts (1973).
[?31 G. Glinka, C. Robin, G. Pluvinage and C. Chehimi. A cumulative model of fatigue crack growth and the crack
closure effect. Inr. /. Futiaue 6. 37-48 (1984).
1241 J. W. Hutchinson, Fundamentals of the phenomenological theory of nonlinear fracture mechanics. J. Appl. Mech.
50, 1042-1051 (1983).
506 G. GLlNKA

APPENDIX
Computer Program: Language, FORTRAN, computer. PDP- I 1
C PR06RAtlNOTCH
C CALCUtATES ELASTIC-PLASTIC STRESS 'SL' AND STRAINS "EL'
c AT THE NOTCH TIP FOR GIVEN NOnINAL STRSS '5'
c ENERBi HETHOD RND NEUBER'S RULE
c
C WRITTEN BY: 6.6tINLA 22-07-S:
C
C NLE - NMBER OF LINEAR ELEMENTS OF THE MATERIAL
STRESS-STRAIN CURVE
E s - NWNAL STRESS FOR TEISION BR
c NOMINAL ELASTIC STRESS FOR BENDIN&
C KT - STRESS CON~ENTRATIUN FACTOR
f Sti - REAL NOHiNkt STRESS IN BENDING !PLRSTICi
c EN - NWWAL STRAIN
C SL - LOCAL ELASTIC-PLASTIC STRESS AT THE NOTCH TIP
C EL - LOCAL ELASTIC-PLASTIC STRAIN AT THE NOTCH TIP
c UN - ENtX6Y DENSITY WE TO THE NOHINAL STRESS AND STRAIN
c YL - ENERGY DENSITY DUE TO THE LOCAL STRESS AND STRAIN
i DfIGfII - STRESS RAIIGES~ORR~SFONDIN6 TO THE LINEAR ELENENTS OF THE
c- ~ATERIRL STfiE5S-STRAINEWE
c DEPStIi - STRAII RANGES ~ORRESPONDIN6 TO THE LINEAR ELEIIENTSOF THE
C MTERIAL STRESS-STRAIN CURVE
REAL bT
D!IIENSIONDS16~lYli,DEPSI10~,H~11~,P~10~
YRITE(7,I01
1% FOR~A:(ii?BX,'PRD6RAH'NOTCH"'/2X,'CALCULATESELASTIC-PLASTIC
STRESS AND STRAIN AT THE NOTCH TIP'/)
~RIT~i7~2e)
2% FOR~Ali2~;TYFE NMBER OF LINEAR ELEHENTS: NLE: ,$I
READIS,*) NLE
DO 40 N=l,NLE
YRITEI!.JEl N
30 FORIATTZX, TYPE VALUE OF DSIG('qI2, 1 = ‘,lJ
READ15,*> OSIG!NI
4% ~DNTtNUE
DO 60 N=i,NLE
WKITEi7,50i N
50 FORNAT,' WE VALUE OF DEPSI'1-1
I' '! = th
1.
READ&*) DEPS!NI
66 CONTINUE
YRITE(7,701
78 FDRltAT(I'TYPE :T= 1. -FOR TENSION'i7X, T= 2. -FOR BENBIN
T=',ii
READ!S,rl T
HRITE~7,B~'
80 fORliAT(/'TYPE HODULUS OF ELASTICITY: E= ,$I
READIS,*) E
90 YRITEi7,106i
1Bll FORMTti TYPE STRESS CDNCENTR. FACTOR: KT= ,$I
READ15,al KT
Uf!ITE~!,1101
If@ FORIlATl:'TYPE REBUIRED NOMINAL STRESS: s= ',$!
READIS.*! 5
 Calculation of inelastic strain-stress 507

SNbl.
IFIS.LT.%i SN6=-1.
If(T.ER.2.i S=IS**:t/(2*E1
TR=B
1=0
UN=%
HiI)=%
SN=%
EN=%
50 120 N=l,NLE
I?0 P!N!=%
150 ]=I+1
IFLI.GT.NLE)GO TO 42%
iF(SN6.GT.R} GO IO 148
DP=-5
GO TO 150
140 DF=5
150 DP=DP;lB
I60 PII)=PCI1+DP
SN=SN~DSlG[Ii~DP
~N~ENtDEFSll)fDP
H(lI=B.
DO 17% J=Z,I+l
170 HlJ~=HIJ-l~+DSl6~J-l)up~J-li
YN=%.
DO 16% +.=:.I
iE0 YN=WNt~HiR~*HiKtlI~r%.SrDEPSrK~tP1Kl
SS=SN
IfIT.EQ.2.1SS=WN
IFlABS~SS!.6l.ABS~SI~60 TO 19%
IF~ABSl~(I~~.6T*~l60 TO ;I#
60 TO 23%
1% P(II=P:II-DP
SN-SN-DSIGIIItDP
EN--EN-DEPSll)*DP
60 TO 150
2% IF~SN6,LT.B)6D TO If0
DP=AESIPII)!-I.%
GO TO ??B
38 DO=-IABSIPIIii-1.0)
'7%
_L F(Il~FiIi-DQ
SN=SN-DS~6(I~~DO
EN=EN-@EPSll)*DE!
GO TO 13%
:‘33 IFiABSl(SS-S!/Si.GT.%.%BB%l)
60 TO 16%
C=#NIKT~~Z
3% in;'".'".'.'~=SN~EN~KT~i~

Htli=%
SL=%
EL=0
YL=0
00 25% N=I,NLE
?50 PCNi=B
508 G. GLINKA

APPENDIX (continued)

2bB i=1tl
IF~I.fiT.NLEI 60 TO 420
IF!SN6.6T.BI 60 TO 278
DP=-5
60 TO 288
270 DP=S
290 DP=DP/Ifi
290 P(Ii=Pil)tDP
SL=SLtDSIG(Ii*DP
EL=ELtDEPS(I)+DP
1FfTR.EQ.I.I 60 TO 328
DO 366 J=?,I+l
30# H(JI=H(J-I)tOSLGlJ-IitP(J-I!
YLd.0
DO 310 K=l.I
318 YL=WL+IH(K)+HlK+I))t%.S*DEPS(K)*P(K)
60 TO 338
320 YL=SLtEL
338 IFiABS(YL).ST.RES(CIl 60 TO 348
IF(ARSIP(I)) .61 . 11 SO TO 358
60 TO 388
340 P~U=PII)-DP
SL=SL-DSIG(I)*DP
EL=EL-DEPSlI,*DP
SO TO 288
350 !FISNG.LT.BI 60 TO 368
DQ=IIBSIP(I)i-1.9
60 TO 378
360 Da=-IA~SIP(I~!-I .a)
3’0 P(Il=PlIi-DQ
SL=SL-DSIG(IltDQ
EL=EL-DEPS(I)*DQ
60 TO 2bB
390 IFiilBS((C-YL)iCl.ST.B.BBEBl! 60 TO 298
IF(TR.EQ.1.i 60 TO 4BB
!dRITEi7,398) KT,SN,EN.SL,EL
390 FORflAT!//?X.’ KT=‘.F5.2.’ NOMNRL: SN=‘,F9.2,’ EN=‘,F8.5//
ENERGY METHOD: SL=‘,F9.2, EL=‘,FB.;ii
TR=l.
60 10 240
488 YRITEi!,4IBl SL,EL
418 FORHAT (1X1 NEUBER RULE: SL=‘,F9.2; EL=‘.F9.5//)
60 TO 90
420 YRJlEc7,4381
438 FORflRTIi’9X,‘REQUIRED EXTENSION OF THE STRESS-STRAIN CUR!‘E ! ‘/I
STOP
EIID

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