The effect of the cruciform weld profile and internal defects on the stress intensity factor and the crack growth are investigated using a plane stress, linear, elastic, finite element approach. The stress intensity factors and the propagation and total lives of the cruciform joint with or without internal imperfections are determined for various types of analytical modelling and are compared with the published results. In addition, stress concentration factors, stress intensity factors, and fatigue lives are also determined for various ratios of plate thicknesses under tensile and bending loads. Key words: stress intensity factor, cruciform joint, crack growth, crack initiation, fatigue life, fracture mechanics, compact tension specimen, tensile and transverse loads.
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