Strain-energy release rate for a single-edge-cracked circular bar in tension

Abstract The strain-energy release rate is determined for an edge crack in a uniformly stressed bar of circular cross-section. Values of the strain-energy release rate, obtained using a finite-element representation of the bar and by measuring the compliance of the bar experimentally, are shown to be in close agreement. For crack depths of less than one-half diameter, the strain-energy release rates are found to be lower than existing results on rectangular bars having the same relative crack length.