Prediction of a Crack Growth Trajectory with Allowance for the Angular Distribution of the Small Components of the Tangential Stresses at a Crack Tip

Abstract—To determine a crack growth direction, we propose to take into account constant T-stresses and the higher-order terms in the expansion of the stress field at a crack tip by representing them as a function of the angular distribution of T-stresses. A modified criterion is suggested for determining a crack growth direction using the maximum tangential stresses with allowance for the angular distribution of T-stresses at a crack tip.