ABSTRACT
In order to assess the fatigue crack growth, the Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) is employed. The LEFM approach is based on the assumption that the crack tip conditions are uniquely defined by a single loading parameter, e.g. the stress intensity factor (K). The stress intensity factor depends on the loading and geometry. A vast number of different geometries have been evaluated, either analytically or numerically, and is reported in (Sih, 1973, Rooke & Cartwright, 1976, Tada et al., 2000).
