The problem of cracked plates stiffened by three-dimensional stringers is investigated using transmission photoelasticity. Models were produced of the hole-in-the-plate geometry stiffened by a combination of stringers transverse and/or parallel to the applied tensile load. Cracks of different lengths emanating from one edge of the hole and approaching a stringer were examined. These cases represent geometry and loading conditions for which it would normally be very difficult to obtain results using analytical methods. The stringer-stiffened plates show a consistent reduction in the non-dimensional stress intensity factor of about 20 per cent irrespective of the arrangement of stringers.
ChandraR.MurthyM. V. V.RamamurthyT. S.RaoA. K.‘Analytical estimation of stress intensity factors in patched cracked plates’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1985, 21, 479–494.
4.
SethuramanR.MaitiS. K.‘Determination of mixed mode stress intensity factors for a crack-stiffened panel’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1989, 33, 355–369.
5.
SubramanianA.ChandraR.MurthyM. V.V.RaoA. K.‘Photoelastic determination of stress intensity factors in patched cracked plates’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1983, 18, 305–313.
6.
ChandraR.GuruprasadK.‘Numerical estimation of stress intensity factors in patched cracked plates’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1987, 27, 559–569.
7.
ChandraR.‘Experimental determination of stress intensity factors in patched cracked plates’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1989, 33, 65–79.
8.
SethuramanR.MaitiS. K.‘Finite element analysis of doubly bonded crack-stiffened panels under mode I or mode II loading’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1989, 34, 465–475.
9.
NurseA. D.PattersonE. A.‘A photoelastic technique to predict the direction of edge crack extension using blunt cracks’, Int. J. Mech. Sci., 1990, 32, 253–264.
10.
NurseA. D.PattersonE. A.‘Experimental determination of stress intensity factors for cracks in turbine discs’, Fatigue Fracture Engng Mater. Structs, 1993, 16, 315–325.
11.
NurseA. D.PattersonE. A.‘Determination of predominantly mode II stress intensity factors from isochromatic data’, Fatigue Fracture Engng Mater. Structs, 1993, 16, 1339–1354.
12.
BallD. L.‘The development of mode I linear-elastic stress intensity factor solutions for cracks in mechanically fastened joints’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1987, 27, 653–681.
SanfordR. J.DallyJ. W.‘A general method for determining mixed-mode stress intensity factors from isochromatic fringe patterns’, Engng Fracture Mechanics, 1978, 11, 621–633.
15.
NurseA. D.PattersonE. A.‘Photoelastic coatings applied to cracked plates’, Proceedings of International Conference of Experimental Mechanics onTechnology Transfer between High Tech Engineering and Biomechanics, edited by E. G. Little, Limerick, 4–5 September 1992, pp. 477–490.
16.
FesslerH.‘An assessment of frozen stress photoelasticity’, J. Strain Analysis, 1992, 27 (2), 123–126.
17.
KoiterW. T.‘Rectangular tensile sheet with symmetric edge cracks’, J. Appl. Mechanics, 1965, 32, 237–238.
18.
NurseA. D.PattersonE. A.‘Stress intensity factors for cracks at fastener holes’, Fatigue Fracture Engng Mater. Structs, 1994, 17, 791–799.
