Weight functions and strip yield solution for two equal-length collinear cracks in an infinite sheet

Abstract The problem of two equal-length collinear cracks in an infinite sheet is treated using the weight function method. Exact weight functions for the inner and outer crack tips are derived based on the crack opening displacement solution for a reference load case. These weight functions are used to calculate stress intensity factors for different load cases, plastic zone sizes and crack tip opening displacements of the strip yield model. The approach is validated by the perfect agreement between the present strip yield model solutions and Collins and Cartwright’s analytical results based on the direct complex stress function formulation.