The Prediction of Notch and Crack Strength under Static or Fatigue Loading

A method is presented which permits the prediction of fatigue or static strength notch factors for notches of any acuity in metal parts, using as a basis conventional tensile properties and a “Neuber constant” which expresses size effect. Extensive experimental verification is presented, with special emphasis on the crack strength of sheet metal. While the method is devised as an aid to design, it has great potential usefulness as an aid in materials testing to define fatigue or static notch sensitivity. Extensions of the method to stiffened flat sheet and to pressurized cylinders are discussed.