A double-notched specimen with dimensions of h = 10cm, w = 3cm, and a thickness of t = 2mm is subjected to a load of P = 32kN. The material has a Young’s modulus of 180 GPa and Poisson’s ratio of v = 0.42
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a) Determine the energy release rate for a crack length of a = 4mm
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b) Does this satisfy the conditions for plane strain? Is the assumption of LEFM valid?
[4 Marks]
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c) Determine the minimum dimensions and crack length to satisfy the conditions of both plane
strain and LEFM.
