Experimentally determined stress-intensity factors for single-edge-crack round bars loaded in bending

Dimensionless stress-intensity factors were determined for single-edge-crack solid and hollow round bars loaded in bending. These factors were calculated from experimental compliance (inverse slope of load-displacement curve) measurements made on round bars loaded in three-point bending. The compliance specimens had span to diameter ratios of 6.67 and 3.33, and measurements were made over a range of dimensionless crack lengths from 0.002 to 0.70. The tests were made using 3-in. (76-mm) and 6-in. (152-mm) solid and hollow round bars notched on one side; the hollow bars had an inner to outer diameter ratio of 0.33. A comparison was made with data in the literature for rectangular bars; for ana/D of 0.0001, the dimensionless stress-intensity factor for a solid round bar is 1.3 vs. 2.0 for a rectangular bar.