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Center crack and the tip field

A finite plate with a center crack under remote tension. The near-tip stress follows Williams: order r to the minus one-half times KI. Open the faces and watch the singular field concentrate at the tip.

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LEFM — singular tip field
KI = 0
Near-tip stress $\sigma_{\theta\theta}(r)$ along the ligament
$K_I/\sqrt{2\pi r}$ Finite-plate (bounded) Probe
$K_I$: 0.0 MPa√mm
$\sigma_{\mathrm{tip}}(r)$: 0.0 MPa
Amplification $\sigma/\bar{\sigma}$:
Crack $2a$: 40 mm
Concept: σ → ∞ as r → 0
Log–log check: $\log\sigma$ vs $\log r$ (slope $\approx -1/2$)
Williams Mode I idea

Ahead of the tip on the crack plane ($\theta=0$):

$$\sigma_{yy}(r,0)=\frac{K_I}{\sqrt{2\pi r}}+\mathcal{O}(1)$$

As $r\to 0$, stress unbounded — the LEFM singularity. $K_I=\bar{\sigma}\sqrt{\pi a}\,Y(a/W)$ sets intensity; geometry factor $Y$ ≈ 1 for small $a/W$.

Specimen

  • Plate: square side $W=L=100$ mm
  • Crack: centered, length $2a$, Mode I opening
  • BCs: bottom supported · top remote $\bar{\sigma}_{yy}$
  • Heat colors = local $\sigma_{yy}$ intensity (dark → hot near tips)

What to notice

  • Move the probe toward the tip — stress rises without bound in LEFM
  • Log–log plot stays near slope −½ in the K-dominant zone
  • Larger $a$ or $\bar{\sigma}$ raises $K_I$ and the whole near-tip field
  • Real materials cut off the singularity with a process / plastic zone