Fracture Mechanics: Stress Intensity Factors

This lecture covers stress intensity factors in fracture mechanics, focusing on the concept of K as a fracture criterion. It explains the stress field around a crack tip, different crack opening modes, and situations where other modes may dominate. The instructor demonstrates the through-thickness crack in an infinite sheet and biaxial remote stress. The lecture also discusses the importance of mode I as a worst-case scenario for testing fracture properties. Various expressions for stress intensity factors and their implications are explored, including the relationship between K and G. The lecture concludes with a discussion on the thickness dependency of stress near the crack tip and the implications for fracture behavior.