Numerical experiments on the determination of stress concentration factors

A brief discussion of relevant applications of the finite element method is presented, and two cases of relatively high stress concentration are considered. For a slot with semi–circular ends in a plate subjected to uniaxial stress, the stress concentration factors obtained numerically, by use of the finite element method, are compared with corresponding experimental results. The case of a corrugated hole in a plate under 1:1 biaxial stress is also examined, and stress concentration factors determined using the finite element approach are compared with exact values obtained by application of Muskhelishvili's method.