Stress Concentration Factors and Weight Functions in Thin Notched Structures of Equibiaxial Anisotropic Materials

Abstract In notched structures, the influence of the notch on the structural strength of the component can be described by a stress concentration factor or—in the presence of cracks–a weight function. Numerous stress concentration factor and weight function solutions are available to the engineer, but regrettably almost exclusively for isotropic materials. In the present study, stress concentration factors and weight functions are calculated for equibiaxial anisotropic materials. The geometry under investigation is a flat plate in tension containing a central hole. The calculated results show that the elastic anisotropic material behavior can significantly influence the magnitude of both stress concentration factors and weight functions.