Stress Intensity Factors, Crack Profiles, and Fatigue Crack Growth Rates in Residual Stress Fields

A linear elastic fracture mechanics approach to crack growth rate prediction implies the need to calculate accurate, effective stress intensity (K) factors, and hence effective R-values, (K^min/K^max), for components containing residual stress. To this end the weight function and associated superposition techniques are described, with emphasis on stress intensity and crack shape prediction for residual stress problems. Stress intensity factors are presented for various geometries with residual stress fields.