Stress concentration factors for round and flat test specimens with notches

Abstract The stress concentration problem of round and flat bars with V-shaped notches under various loadings is especially important for test specimens used to investigate the fatigue strength of materials. Accurate stress concentration factors have been given in a recent analysis of the body force method. However, the results of the solutions have been presented in tabular form, which is not suitable for engineering applications. In this paper convenient formulae, which give the stress concentration factors with better than 1% accuracy, are proposed using the Neuber formula and the solution of a V-shaped notch in a semi-infinite plate. The stress concentration factors are also provided in a graphical way on the basis of the formulae.