Analysis of the effect of notch–inclusion interaction in a plate under tensile load

The finite element method is used to study the effect of existence of an inclusion on the behaviour of a notched structure. First, the stress distributions near the notch and the inclusion is examined by varying the distance between the inclusion and the notch and the Young’s modulus ratio of the inclusion-matrix. Then the behaviour of a crack emanating from the notch with the presence of the inclusion is investigated. The stress distribution near the crack tip and the inclusion and the change of the stress intensity factor with respect to the crack length and the Young’s modulus ratio inclusion-matrix is determined.