Study of load bearing capacity of an infinite sheet weakened by multiple collinear straight cracks with coalesced yield zones

This paper is concerned with the analytical solution of a multi-side damage problem. The objective is to investigate the load-bearing capacity of an infinite elastic-plastic plate weakened by three pairs of collinear straight cracks with coalesced yield zones. Stress intensity factors (SIFs) are obtained when yield zones are subjected to three different patterns of yield stress distribution, i. e., constant, linearly, and quadratically varying. Muskhelisvili's complex variable approach is applied for uncovering the solution to this problem. The problem is solved and analyzed rigorously based on Dugdale's hypothesis. The numerical results are deduced for the load-bearing capacity of the plate and yield zone lengths. These results are analyzed and demonstrated graphically for various mechanical loading conditions and different crack lengths.