BOUNDARY ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF STRESS CONCENTRATION IN MICROPOLAR ELASTIC PLATE

Based on EringenÕs Micropolar Elasticity Theory, a two-dimensional Boundary Element (BEM) formulation is derived and the corresponding computer programs are developed to solve the two-dimensional stress concentration problems of micropolar elastic material with arbitrary non-smooth surfaces. The new 2-D BEM formulation is Þrst applied to solve the stress concentration around a hole in a plate under tension, and shown to be in excellent agreement with existing analytical solutions. Next, the new BEMformulation is applied to solve, for the Þrst time, the stress concentration around a semicircular edge notch in a plate under tension. The e¤ects of coupling number, characteristic length and radius/width ratio on the micropolar e¤ects are derived, and the important new Þndings are summarized