Abstract
Three-dimensional photoelasticity was used to analyse the effect of crack shape on the stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the tips of cracks in threaded connectors under axial and eccentric loads. The results show that the shape of the crack does not affect the maximum SIF occurring at the middle of the crack front. However, it does influence the distribution around the crack front, with the KI/ Ko values decreasing more rapidly towards the end of the crack front for more crescent-shaped cracks. Despite the complexity of the geometry, the SIFs were found to be predominantly mode I. Eccentric loading was found to increase the SIFs at the centre of the crack front slightly. The crack shape employed in this study was different from those used by earlier investigators but was based on evidence from fatigue tests.
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