Numerical evaluation of T-stress under mixed mode loading through the use of coarse meshes

The present paper investigates the employment of coarse meshes in evaluating the T-stress with the displacement method. Several finite element analyses have been carried out with different mesh refinements and accuracies. Mode I and mixed mode I/II loadings have been considered in finite element analyses. Under mode I loading, single and double edge notched geometries have been considered, while plate with central crack has been considerd for mixed mode loading condition. The analyses are compared with the results by the well-nown stress based approach, and showed that the displacement method permits the evaluation of the T-stress with the employment of coarse meshes. By the way, several precautions must be taken when dealing with coarse and very coarse meshes.