Determination of the stress field around the tip of a V notch

Summary The whole stress field caused by the presence of a V notch with tip radius other than zero is described, modifying expressions for the stress field near a V shaped sharp crack, attributed to Williams. A finite element analysis was carried out to check the relations obtained, and a formulation of the stress intensity factor K, for the case analysed is also given. The stress field is schematically divided into three zones so that the fields applicable to the criteria commonly used for the fatigue design of notched components can be clearly distinguished, i.e. the peak, field and nominal stress criteria.