The Stress Field Around Two Parallel Cracks in a Finite Geometry: A Hybrid Study Combining High-density Geometric Moire and Photoelasticity with the Westergaard Approach and Local Collocation Methods

Abstract

Finite geometry problems, in which two or more cracks are in close proximity so that their stress fields interact, are generally found to be substantially more challenging than problems involving single or isolated cracks. The present study how, combining optical techniques such as photoelasticity with high density geometric moire, a method of modelling single cracks with similar loadings and geometries, and an elasticity technique well-suited to problems with multiple boundaries, produces an overall solution for the stress field around multiple crack tips in finite geometries.