The stress intensity factor solutions for edge cracks in a padded plate geometry under general loading conditions

The stress intensity factor weight function for a single edge crack originating from the T-plate weld toe was derived from a general weight function form and two reference stress intensity factors. The coefficients of the weight function are given. The weight function together with the stress distribution on the crack plane was used to obtain the stress intensity factor solutions. The validity of the weight function for the T-plate was verified by the comparison with the numerical data. Good agreement was achieved. The derived weight function is valid for the relative depth a/t ⩽ 0.8. It is also shown that this weight function is suitable for the stress intensity factor calculation for the cracked laser-welded padded plate geometries under general loading conditions.