Mode I stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in lap-shear specimens

The analytical solutions of the mode I stress intensity factor for spot welds in lap-shear specimens are investigated based on the classical Kirchhoff plate theory for linear elastic materials. First, closed-form solutions for an infinite plate containing a rigid inclusion under counter bending conditions are derived. The development of the closed-form solutions is then used as a guide to develop approximate closed-form solutions for a finite square plate containing a rigid inclusion under counter bending conditions. Based on the J integral, the closed-form solutions are used to develop the analytical solutions of the mode I stress intensity factor for spot welds in lap-shear specimens of large and finite sizes. The analytical solutions of the mode I stress intensity factor based on the solutions for infinite and finite square plates with an inclusion are compared with the results of the three-dimensional finite element computations of lap-shear specimens with various ratios of the specimen half width to the nugget radius. The results indicate that the mode I stress intensity factor solution based on the finite square plate model with an inclusion agrees well with the computational results for lap-shear specimens for the ratio of the half specimen width to the nugget radius between 4 and 15. Finally, a set of the closed-form stress intensity factor solutions for lap-shear specimens at the critical locations are proposed for future applications.