Analytical expressions to estimate rapidly the notch stress intensity factors at V‐notch tips using the Peak Stress Method

The Peak Stress Method (PSM) enables a rapid estimation of the notch stressintensity factors (NSIFs) for the fatigue strength assessment of sharp V-notchesand notably welded joints. It takes advantage of the linear elastic peak stressescalculated at the V-notch tip using coarse finite element (FE) mesh patterns,thanks to properly calibrated coefficients depending on the V-notch openingangle, FE type, formulation, and FE mesh pattern typical of the employed FEcode. The original calibration was performed only for few master values ofopening angle; therefore, in the present study, the coefficients have been cali-brated by using Ansys®FE code for the full range of notch opening angles togeneralize the PSM. In particular, polynomial expressions have been fitted onthe results of FE analyses and implemented in a tool that automates the appli-cation of the PSM. Two case studies have been analyzed highlighting the bene-fits of the new polynomial expressions.