Evaluation of stress intensity factors

Some of the more useful methods of evaluating stress intensity factors are presented in a concise form. The stress intensity factor is defined and compared with the more familiar stress concentration factor. The shape factor, the parameter which characterizes the shape of the crack, the orientation of the crack and the proximity of other boundaries, is introduced; the techniques for determining the shape factor are divided into theoretical and experimental. Each method is described with a minimum of mathematical detail; references are given to papers where the methods are more fully described and used to solve specific crack problems. The accuracy and usefulness of the methods is summarized.