The reduction of stress concentration in a uni-axially loaded infinite width rectangular isotropic/orthotropic plate with central circular hole by coaxial auxiliary holes

Abstract

A comprehensive plane stress finite element study is made for reduction of stress concentration factor (SCF) in a uni-axially loaded infinite width rectangular isotropic/orthotropic plate with central circular hole. The finite element formulation was carried out by the analysis section of the package ANSYS. With the help of present work, stress concentration can be reduced up to 24.4 % in an isotropic and 31 % in an orthotropic plate by introducing four coaxial auxiliary holes on either side of main hole. The study reveals that the introduction of these holes helps to smooth flow of the tensile stress past the main hole and result a reduction in stress concentration factor. With such reduction in maximum stress levels, the improvement in fatigue life of a component can be significant.