An assessment of the notch stress-strain conversion rules for short flat bars with projections subjected to axial and shear loading

Abstract

This paper compares finite element predictions of strain and strain range for short flat bars with projections and values estimated using simple notch stress-strain conversion (NSSC) rules. Results of six geometries, associated with local and remote restraints and under both axial and shear loading conditions, are presented. Also, some previously published experimental and numerical results for other two-dimensional problems are compared with NSSC rule estimates and the findings discussed in association with the findings from the current work. The comparison has indicated that the choice of the most suitable NSSC rule is both geometry and load dependent. It is suggested that the intermediate rule with an m value of ∼ 0.6 may be more appropriate under extreme conditions of large stress concentration factor (generally associated with local restraints or loading) and high load.