Analysis of the stress intensity factor around corrosion pits developed on structures subjected to mixed loading

Linear elastic fracture mechanics modelling was performed to determine the effect of geometry and angular position on the stress intensity factor (K) around shallow quasi-elliptic pit-like cracks, in flat specimens subjected to mixed load mode with aspect ratio depth/major width axes (a/c) <1. Corrosion pits were modelled as semi-elliptic surface flaws in a finite plate. Results indicated that crack initiation mainly depends on the direction of resultant stresses as well as on the a/c aspect ratio.