Calculation of the strain-energy release rates of cracked plates by an approximate method

Abstract
A method for the approximate calculation of strain-energy release rates for finite plates is proposed in terms of a mean stress. Solutions are compared with those cases for which analytical and numerical solutions exist and good agreement is obtained. The method is then applied to the general case of a plate with unequal cracks and a non-axial load and to a finite rotating disc with a central hole.