Proceedings of the ASME 2024

Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference

PVP2024
July 28-August 2, 2024, Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Bellevue, WA, USA

PVP2024‐122218

MODE I AND MODE II STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR A SLANTED-EDGE-CRACK

AFFECTED BY AN ADJACENT HORIZONTAL CRACK UNDER REMOTE TENSION

Cesar Levy1
1Dept.of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199 USA
Mordechai Perl2
2Pearlstone Center for Aeronautical Engineering Studies

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva 84105 ISRAEL
Qin Ma3
3Edward F. Cross School of Engineering

Walla Walla University

College Place, WA 99324, USA

ABSTRACT distance, amplification factor, Fitness-for-Service

Fracture mechanics has been used in Fitness-for-Service
assessments of structures containing cracks. The stress intensity NOMENCLATURE
factors (SIFs) at the crack tip are the key information in assessing a1 - half embedded crack length
the remaining service life of a cracked component. Extensive a2 - slanted edge crack length
studies have been carried out on the mutual influence of adjacent t - plate thickness
parallel cracks. However, to date no solutions are available for b - plate width
non-parallel cracks. In the present analysis mode I (KI) and W - plate width
Mode II (KII) SIFs of a slanted-edge-crack affected by an h - plate height
adjacent non-parallel horizontal crack are obtained. KI and KII H - vertical crack separation dimension
are evaluated for a wide range of the slanted edge crack angle β S - horizontal crack separation dimension
๐ ๐ E - Young’s modulus
=0 to 75 , for various normalized horizontal (S/a2 = -0.4 to 2)
and vertical (H/a2 = 0.4) separation distances and for several KI - Mode I SIF
crack lengths. The problem is solved using a 2-D, plane strain, KIA - Mode I SIF at the edge crack tip A
finite element model, which was successfully validated against KIIA - Mode II SIF at the edge crack tip A
presently available solutions. It is found that the presence of the K0 - Normalizing SIF
embedded crack always amplifies KI of the edge crack while KII
might be either amplified or attenuated depending on the crack GREEK SYMBOLS
configuration. Furthermore, the present results indicate that, for ν - Poisson’s ratio
the purpose of Fitness-for-Service, the effective SIF at the tip of σ0 - Tensile stress
the slanted crack always increases due to the presence of the σy - yield stress
embedded crack. β - slanted angle
Keywords: slanted edge crack, embedded crack, separation

1
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
1. INTRODUCTION
The process of degradation of plant components due to
fatigue and/or stress corrosion cracking may highly depend on
crack interaction in the presence of multiple cracks [1, 2].
Characterization of the multiple cracks is an important
requirement needed in the Fitness-for-Service (FFS) standards
to evaluate structural integrity of the cracked components using
fracture mechanics concepts. It must be determined whether the
cracks are on the same cross-section plane and are aligned
cracks or whether they are on parallel planes thus being non-
aligned parallel cracks, using one of the crack alignment rules.
Crack alignment rules have been suggested by many
organizations such as those found in the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section
XI (ASME Section XI) [3], Guide to methods for assessing the
acceptability of cracks in metallic structures [4], European
Fitness-for-Service Network (FITNET) [5], American
Petroleum Institute (API) 579-1/ASME FFS-1 [6], Rules on
Fitness-for-Service for Nuclear Power Plant Components in the
Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME, S NA1-2008)
[7]. These rules differ one from another and some alignment
rules may be overly conservative in nature while others will
provide non-conservative assessments.
Contemporary times have seen many studies involving the
interaction of multiple non-aligned cracks in cases of two offset
parallel embedded cracks contained in an infinitely large steel
plate. Some are mentioned here: Kamaya’s studies on the growth
evaluation of multiple interacting surface cracks by combination
of numerical and experimental methods [8]; Hasegawa et al.’s
LEFM related Fitness-for Service studies of two parallel
embedded non-aligned cracks [9]; and most recently, Hasegawa
et al. [10-12], Miyazaki et al. [12], and Suga et al. [13-14]
considered plastic collapse behavior for dissimilar non-aligned
cracks.
Recently Ma et al. [15, 16], Levy et al. [17] and Perl et al.
[18] addressed for the first time, problems with an edge crack
influenced by a non-aligned embedded crack, considering cases
under different loading regimens. However, none of the
aforementioned investigations addressed the interaction of
multiple non-parallel cracks, and particularly the case of the
interaction of an inclined edge crack with a horizontal embedded
crack.
The only investigations that have been found to date
addressing Stress Intensity Factors for slanted cracks are Fayed
[19] and Shi and Oyadiji’s [20] who analyzed a slanted edge
crack and [21] who solved for an internal slanted crack. Fayed
[19] and Shi and Oyadiji’s [20] addressed the mixed mode KI &
KII stress intensity factors of an edge slanted-crack prevailing in
a plate under tensile loading. Thus, the present model will be
validated against these results as they employ similar geometry
and loading scenario to the present work.
The objective of the present paper is to investigate the
influence of a horizonal embedded crack on the SIF of a slanted
edge crack in a very long plate of height 2h, and width b, under
remote tension. The stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the tip of
the edge crack is studied for a wide range of the edge crack
geometries with varying slanted angle, β, and for various
normalized vertical gaps, H/a2, and normalized horizontal
separation distances, S/a2, between cracks as shown in Fig.1.
2
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT
The plate configuration is shown in Fig. 1. The plate contains
a slanted edge crack and a horizontal embedded crack under
remote tension. The plate height is 2h and its width is b. The
slanted edge crack is of length a2, and the embedded internal
crack is of length 2a1. In order to avoid plate end effects, the
plate dimensions are taken to be large enough relative to the
cracks’ configuration. To be specific, the height h and the actual
width b of the plate (or W, when comparing to Fayed’s case) are
taken to be 50 times that of the edge crack length a2. As a rule
of thumb, when the ratio of b/(a2+S+2a1)≥10, the plate size effect
is negligible. The origin of the global coordinate system is set to
be at the middle point on the left edge of the plate (as shown in
Fig. 1) such that the edge crack will be situated below the
horizontal center line of the plate.
FIGURE 1. A PLATE WITH TWO NON-PARALLEL CRACKS, A
SLANTED EDGE CRACK AND A HORIZONTAL EMBEDDED
CRACK, UNDER REMOTE TENSION.
The crack horizontal separation distance S is defined as the
horizontal distance between the tip of the edge crack and the left
tip of the embedded crack. Likewise, the vertical separation
distance H is defined as the vertical distance between the tip of
the edge crack and the left tip of the embedded crack. The load
is applied on the top and on the bottom faces of the plate. The
applied tensile stress is taken to be σ0 =2kPa. The plate is
assumed to be under plane strain conditions. The slanted angle
is varied between 0๐ to 60๐, where β=0, represents an edge crack
parallel to the embedded crack. The plate is assumed to be made
of steel with Young’s modulus E=200 GPa, Poisson’s ratio
ν=0.3, and yield stress σy=304 MPa.
2.1 Finite Element Model
A standard FE code, ANSYS APDL [22] is used to solve
the problem. Much of the region is meshed employing 2-D 6-
noded triangular elements, while at the crack tips singular
elements are used. A global mesh of the entire plate is generated
using the 6-node triangular elements with plain strain conditions.
The elements are varied in size, small near the crack and made
gradually larger when moving away from it (see Fig. 2). The 6-
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
node triangular element exhibits a quadratic displacement
behavior which is well suited to model irregular meshes,
specifically for the plate with an edge and an internally
embedded crack. This same model is firstly used for validation
purposes as will be described in the section.
Mode I and Mode II SIFs at the tip of the slanted crack, i.e.,
KIA and KIIA, are evaluated by ANSYS KCALC built-in
command [22]. Care is taken to ensure that a local coordinate
system is properly defined at the crack tip and that the crack tip
results were mapped onto the local coordinates by including the
RSYS command before KCALC is applied.
All the SIFs are normalized with respect to:

√ (1)

which is similar to the SIF solution for an edge crack in an

infinitely large plate uniform tension σ0 (Tada [23]) The purpose FIGURE 3. A TYPICAL CONTOUR PLOT OF VON MISES
of doing this is to be consistent with the normalizer used by other STRESS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRACKS.
researchers in dealing with cases of a single inclined edge cracks
[19,20]. 3.0
Present FEA, a/W=0.1
Convergence tests were performed by increasing mesh Present FEA, a/W=0.5
density from sparse to very dense, while SIF served as the 2.5
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
convergence criterion. Based on the trial-and-error methodology
from the authors’ previous studies [15-18], in most cases the 2.0 Fayed [19],a/W=0.5
level of error was found to be less than 3% for meshes having KIA/K0
1.5
more than 20,000 degrees of freedom (DOF). Typical meshes
included about 10,000 elements with approximately 30,000
1.0
nodes and 60,000 DOFs. The option where the software
automatically adjusted element shapes and aspect ratios for all 0.5
meshes was always chosen. A typical von Mises stress contour
plot in the vicinity of the cracks is given in Fig. 3, and the plot 0.0
shows the clear interaction behavior and crack tip stress 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
singularity at all crack tips.
β (deg.)
2.2 Model Validation
The FE model was validated against the results of Fayed [19] FIGURE 4. NORMALIZED MODE I SIFS VS. SLANTED ANGLE
for the mixed mode SIFs for a solitary slanted edge crack. β FOR A SINGLE SLANTED EDGE CRACK (a2 = a =15 mm).
Figures 4 and 5 present the results for KIA and KIIA, respectively.
The results for both KIA and KIIA are in excellent agreement 1.00 Present FEA, a/W=0.1
with those of Fayed, though, the method used to obtain Fayed’s
Present FEA, a/W=0.5
0.80
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
Fayed [19],a/W=0.5
0.60
KIIA/K0

0.40

0.20

0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
β (deg.)
FIGURE 5. NORMALIZED MODE II SIFS VS. SLANTED
ANGLE β FOR A SINGLE SLANTED EDGE CRACK (a2 = a =15
mm).

results, namely an energy integral, is completely different from

FIGURE 2. THE FINITE ELEMENT MODEL: A TYPICAL MESH the present analysis. Although the purpose of the previous
AT THE VICINITY OF THE CRACKS section was to present validation results of a single slanted edge
3
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
crack, the steps of this validation process were found to be
extremely important to ensure that all the subsequent results
were obtained correctly.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The mixed mode SIFs , KIA and KIIA, at the tip of the slanted
crack (point A in Fig. 1) in the presence of the horizontal
embedded crack were obtained for a variety of crack
configurations. The SIFs were obtained for a range of slanted
angle β =0๐ to 75๐, for different crack lengths a2= 15 mm and
a1=15 and 30 mm, and for vertical separation gap, H/a2 = 0.4 and
for horizontal S/a2 = -0.4 to 2.0.
3.1 Effects of β on SIFs for Similar Crack Sizes
The normalized Mode I and Mode II SIFs at the tip of the
slanted crack KIA/K0 and KIIA/K0 are shown in Fig. 6 and 7
respectively for the case of similar cracks a1=a2=15mm hence
a2/a1=1 and H/a2 = 0.4.
Attention is drawn first to Fayed’s case, indicated by a solid
curve with cross x symbols. This curve apparently serves as the
lowest bound for all cases that include the embedded crack. This
observation is important in the sense that the presence of the
embedded crack will always enhance the magnitude of the Mode
I SIFs regardless how far the embedded crack is from the edge
crack. Thus, it makes sense to see that the results of KIA/K0
converge to the results of the single edge crack cases for varying
edge crack slanted angle β.
The character of KIA/K0 curves in Fig. 6 depends on the value
of the horizontal separation gap. When the two cracks “overlap”
S/a2 < 0, then the KIA/K0 curves first increase with β and then
decrease. Once S/a2 is > 0, the curves strictly decrease with β.
Furthermore, as S/a2 becomes larger, e.g., S/a2=1.6, then the
curve approaches the results of Fayed [19] (for a/W=0.1),
meaning that the slanted edge crack appears not to be affected
anymore by the embedded crack.
3.0 S/a2=-0.4 S/a2=-0.2
S/a2=0 S/a2=0.2
2.5 S/a2=0.4 S/a2=1.6
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
2.0
1.5
KIA/K0
1.0
0.5
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
β (deg.)
FIGURE 6. NORMALIZED MODE I SIFS VS. THE EDGE CRACK
SLANT ANGLE β AS A FUNCTION OF S/a2 FOR AN EDGE-
EMBEDDED CRACK COMBINATION (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 30 mm,
H/a2 = 0.4).
4
If one were to look at constant β values starting with β=0,
as S/a2 increases from S/a2=-0.4 to S/a2=1.6, the normalized
KIA/K0 versus S/a2 would be a concave downward curve with the
apparent maximum of 2.02 for the S/a2=0 curve. As β continues
to increase to around 20 deg, the curves are still concave
downward but the maximum of 1.93 occurs for the S/a2=-0.2
curve. As β continues to increase to around 30 deg, the curves
are still concave downward but the maximum of 1.63 occurs for
the S/a2=-0.4 curve. At about 55-60 deg, both the S/a2=-0.4 and
S/a2=-0.2 curves touch indicating that the KIA/K0 versus S/a2
curve becomes a strictly decreasing curve.
Note that as S/a2 increases, the maximum value of KIA/K0 first
increases then monotonically decreases. Also noted, that with
the continuous increase of S/a2 >0, the starting magnitudes of
SIFs at β=0 decrease until they approach the value for Fayed’s
case at KIA/K0 = 1.18.
If one wishes to determine the effect of the embedded crack
on the Mode I SIF of the slanted crack, all one needs to do is to
compare the KIA/K0 values to those of Fayed’s case. For
example, at β=20 deg, the normalized SIF for S/a2=0 is 1.93 and
the normalized SIF for Fayed’s case is 1.08. Thus, the effect of
the embedded crack is 1.93/1.08 or a 79 percent increase in the
SIF. Now since all the curves are above Fayed’s results, the
Mode I SIF of the combined cracks will always be higher than
those of the solitary slanted crack.
The normalized Mode II KIIA/K0 versus β curves, is presented
in Fig. 7. Attention is drawn to Fayed’s case as well, indicated
by a solid curve with cross x symbols. For Mode II cases,
Fayed’s case will no longer serve as the lowest bound for the
curves. Furthermore, KIIA/K0 versus β curves seem to exhibit a
similar but opposite behavior with respect to the horizontal
separation gap as KIA/K0. When the two cracks “overlap”,
namely S/a2 < 0, then the KIIA/K0 curves first decrease with β
and then increase. Once S/a2 is > 0, the curves first increase with
β then decrease.
S/a2=-0.4 S/a2=-0.2
1.00
S/a2=0 S/a2=0.2
S/a2=0.4 S/a2=1.6
0.80 Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
0.60
KIIA/K0
0.40
0.20
0.00
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
β (deg.)
FIGURE 7. NORMALIZED MODE II SIFS VS. THE EDGE
CRACK SLANT ANGLE β AS A FUNCTION OF S/a2 FOR AN
EDGE-EMBEDDED CRACK COMBINATION (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 30
mm, H/a2 = 0.4).
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
 The KIIA/K0 versus β curve also follows the same pattern as 5.0
in the KIA/K0 case, namely, in the range of β’s investigated, there S/a2=-0.4
is one behavior for S/a2 < 0 and another behavior for S/a2 > 0. S/a2=-0.2
4.5
For S/a2 < 0, the curve appears to have a “V” shape that S/a2=0
transitions into a concave downward curve with the apex angle S/a2=0.2
of the “V shape decreasing as S/a2 increases. For S/a2 > 0, the 4.0
S/a2=0.4
KIIA/K0 versus β curve only exhibits the concave downward S/a2=1.6
behavior. For instance, for the case of S/a2=-0.4, the mostly 3.5
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
overlapped case, the normalized Mode II SIF starts at KIIA/K0 =
0.54 at β=0, decreasing to almost a value of 0.01 at β=40 degree, 3.0

KIA/K0
then increasing to 0.20 at β=65 deg. For the case of S/a2=-0.2,
the less overlapped case, the normalized Mode II SIF starts at 2.5
KIIA/K0 = 0.47 at β=0, decreasing to a minimum value of 0.03 at
β=20 deg, then increasing to a maximum value of 0.46 at β=60 2.0
deg, then decreasing to 0.45 at β=75 deg. It is evident that the
local minimum value of Mode II SIFs moves to smaller beta with 1.5
the increase of the horizontal separation S/a2 distance, from the
most severely overlapped to less severe to totally separated 1.0
between the two cracks.
As for the maxima of the Mode II SIF, it appears that the
maximum for the S/a2 < 0 curves occur at β=0 deg. However,
0.5
when S/a2 > 0, the maxima appear to be in the β = 40~60 deg 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
range. For example, for S/a2=0.2, the normalized Mode II SIF β (deg.)
starts at KIIA/K0 = 0.06 at β =0, increasing to a maximum value
of 0.73 at β =50 degree, then decreases to a value of 0.48 at the FIGURE 8. NORMALIZED MODE I SIFS VS. THE EDGE CRACK
end of β =75 degree. It is apparent again, with the increase of the SLANT ANGLE β AS A FUNCTION OF S/a2 FOR AN EDGE-
EMBEDDED CRACK COMBINATION (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 60 mm,
separation distance, the curves approach Fayed’s case (see
H/a2 = 0.4)
S/a2=1.6 case).

3.2 Effects of β on SIFs for Dissimilar Crack Sizes - 1.80

a2/a1=1/2 S/a2=-0.4
Figures 8 and 9 present the results of normalized Mode I SIFs S/a2=-0.2
1.60
and normalized Mode II SIFs, respectively, for cases when the S/a2=0
slanted edge crack of length a2=15 mm interacts with a longer S/a2=0.2
embedded crack of length 2a1=60 mm and for H/a2=0.4. 1.40 S/a2=0.4
Comparing Fig. 8 to Fig. 6, it is noted that the graphs follow S/a2=1.6
the same pattern, however, the magnitudes of the KIA/K0 are 1.20 Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
much higher for the longer embedded crack, at the same value
KIIA/K0

of S/a2. For example, for S/a2=0, the maximum value in Fig. 6 1.00
is 1.66 at β=35 deg, while in Fig. 8 the maximum value is 2.8 at
β=40 deg. Furthermore, we note more separation exists between 0.80
the values for the S/a2=1.6 curve and Fayed’s results in this case
than in Fig. 6. Finally, here it is noted that the S/a2=0 curve 0.60
crosses the S/a2=-0.2 graph at 40 deg and again at 65 deg, while
in Fig. 6 those two curves just touch at β= 55 deg. 0.40
Figure 9 presents the normalized Mode II SIFs as a function
of β. In comparison to Fig. 7, it is noted that the graphs follow
0.20
the same pattern, however the magnitudes of the KIIA/K0 are
much higher for the same value of S/a2. For example, for S/a2=0,
the maximum value is 0.75 at 55 deg in Fig. 6, whereas here, the 0.00
value is 1.20 at 50 deg. Furthermore, we note more separation 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
exists between the values for S/a2=1.6 curve and Fayed’s results β (deg.)
here than in Fig. 7.
Thus, the overall effect of the longer embedded crack is to FIGURE 9. NORMALIZED MODE II SIFS VS. THE EDGE
produce higher SIFs, KIA and KIIA, at the tip of the slanted edge CRACK SLANT ANGLE β AS A FUNCTION OF S/a2 FOR EDGE-
crack. EMBEDDED CRACKS (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 60 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).

5
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
 increases while at β=60๐. decreases with respect to the
3.5 case of S/a2=-0.4. That is, for S/a2=-0.2, KIA/KIA0=1.55
S/a2=-0.4
at β=0๐ and KIA /KIA0=3.10 at β=60๐. and for S/a2=0,
S/a2=-0.2
KIA/KIA0=1.71 at β=0๐, growing monotonically to
S/a2=0
KIA/KIA0=2.30 at β=60๐. For Fig. 12, the results are
3.0 S/a2=0.2
similar in nature but higher than in Fig. 10. For S/a2 =
S/a2=0.4 -0.4, KIA/KIA0=2.05 at β=0๐, growing monotonically to
S/a2=1.6 KIA/KIA0=5.55 at β=60๐. In crack overlap cases, similar
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1 behavior is seen in KIA/KIA0 but are higher in value,
2.5 e.g., for S/a2=-0.2, KIA/KIA0=2.49 at β=0๐ and
KIA/KIA0

KIA/KIA0=5.19 at β=60๐ and for S/a2=0, KIA/KIA0=2.58

at β=0๐, growing monotonically to KIA/KIA0=3.46 at
β=60๐. Thus, the KIA values are higher but Fayed’s KIA0
2.0 values are unchanged; and,
d. For all the non-overlapping cases, S/a2 > 0, KIA /KIA0 is
almost constant between β=0๐ and β=60๐ with slight
changes with a maximum deviation of less than 9% in
1.5 both Fig. 10. For Fig. 12 it is found that for S/a2 > 0 the
KIA /KIA0 curves become essentially linear but with very
low negative slopes, and as the horizontal separation
gap continues to increase, the KIA /KIA0 curves tend to
1.0 the Fayed results where the slope of the curves is zero.

9.00
S/a2=-0.4
0.5 S/a2=-0.2
8.00 S/a2=0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
S/a2=0.2
β (deg.) 7.00 S/a2=0.4
FIGURE 10. THE AMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE I SIF OF THE S/a2=1.6
SLANTED EDGE CRACK (KIA) DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
6.00 Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
KIIA/KIIA0

EMBEDDED CRACK (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 30 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).

3.3 Amplification Factor 5.00

In order to quantify the effect of the horizontal embedded
crack on the slanted edge crack, KIA and KIIA, the SIFs of the
slanted edge crack are re-normalized using KIA0 and KIIA0, 4.00
respectively, the SIFs prevailing at the tip of a solitary slanted
edge crack, i.e., using Fayed’s a/W=0.1 data. Two sets of graphs
are presented based on the results of Sections 3.1 and 3.2. The 3.00
results are presented in Figs. 10-13 in terms of two amplification
factors (AF), namely, KIA /KIA0 and KIIA/KIIA0. Several
conclusions can be drawn from Fig. 10 and Fig. 11: 2.00
a. The presence of the embedded crack always amplifies
the Mode I SIF at the tip of the slanted crack (see
1.00
Figs.10 and 12).
b. The amplification factor increases as the slant angle, β,
increases. The rate of this increase also increases as β
0.00
becomes larger.
c. For example, in Fig.10, for the horizontal separation 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
value of S/a2=-0.4, KIA/KIA0=1.21 at β=0๐, growing β (deg.)
monotonically to KIA/KIA0=3.14 at β=60๐. All the other
crack overlapping cases, S/a2 ≤ 0, exhibit a similar FIGURE 11. THE AMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE II SIF OF THE
pattern. However, as S/a2 increases, the AF at β=0๐ SLANTED EDGE CRACK (KIIA) DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
EMBEDDED CRACK (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 30 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).
6
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
 angle increases in KIIA of the slanted crack decrease in
6.0 magnitude. On the other hand, the left tip of the
S/a2=-0.4
embedded crack approaches very closely to the left
S/a2=-0.2 edge of the plate, especially for S/a2 ≤ 0, thus, the plate
5.5
S/a2=0 becomes “finite” with respect to the embedded crack,
S/a2=0.2 resulting in an exponential increase in the SIFs, as
5.0 could have been expected (see [24], p. 10).
S/a2=0.4
e. The very large amplification factors for small slant
S/a2=1.6
4.5 angles, result from two effects: On one hand, the slant
Fayed [2], a/W=0.1 angle increases in KIA of the slanted crack decrease in
magnitude. On the other hand, the left tip of the
4.0 embedded crack approaches very closely to the left
edge of the plate, especially for S/a2 ≤ 0, thus, the plate
KIA/KIA0

3.5 becomes “finite” with respect to the embedded crack,

resulting in an exponential increase in the SIFs, as
could have been expected (see [24], p. 10, vis-à-vis the
3.0 embedded crack).

2.5 14.0
S/a2=-0.4
2.0 S/a2=-0.2
12.0 S/a2=0
1.5 S/a2=0.2
S/a2=0.4
1.0 10.0 S/a2=1.6
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
0.5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
KIIA/KIIA0

8.0
β (deg.)

FIGURE 12. THE AMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE I SIF OF THE 6.0

SLANTED EDGE CRACK (KIA) DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
EMBEDDED CRACK (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 60 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).

The Mode II SIF is influenced differently by the presence of the 4.0

embedded crack than in the Mode I case (see Figs. 11 and 13).
a. In some cases, KIIA/KIIA0 ≥ 1 representing an
amplification while in other cases KIIA/KIIA0 < 1
characterizing an attenuation of the SIF, which is a 2.0
typical crack tip shielding phenomenon [25].
b. For S/a2 < 0, KIIA /KIIA0 has an absolute maximum AF
at β=5๐ quickly decreasing and becoming an attenuation
0.0
factor. For example, in Fig. 11, for S/a2=-0.4,
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
KIIA/KIIA0=8.44 at β=5๐ decreasing rapidly to a
KIIA/KIIA0 < 1 for β>20๐. Similarly for S/a2=-0.2, β (deg.)
KIIA/KIIA0=8.15 at β=5๐, decreasing to a KIIA/KIIA0 < 1
FIGURE 13. THE AMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE II SIF OF THE
for β>14๐.
SLANTED EDGE CRACK (KIIA) DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
c. For all the cases of S/a2 ≥ 0 the presence of the EMBEDDED CRACK (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 60 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).
embedded crack amplifies the Mode II SIF of the
slanted edge crack. Generally speaking, as the
horizontal separation gap and the slant angle increases, 3.4 Effects of β on SIFs for Dissimilar Crack Sizes -
the amplification factor decreases, as can be seen in Short, Embedded Crack, a2/a1=3
Figs 11 and 13; and, The next four figures, Figs. 14 to 17, discuss the case of a
d. The very large amplification factors for small slant slanted edge crack 15 mm long, in the presence of a short,
angles, result from two effects: On one hand, the slant embedded crack that is 10 mm long i.e., a2/a1=3. Though there
7
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
are many similarities found with respect to the other cases 0.70
discussed, there a several important differences, as well. Figures S/a2=-0.4
14 and 15 present the results of normalized Mode I SIFs and S/a2=-0.2
normalized Mode II SIFs, respectively versus β for H/a2=0.4. In S/a2=0
Fig. 14 it is noted that the normalized KI maxima decrease as the 0.60
S/a2=0.2
embedded crack becomes smaller, as expected. It is also noted
that for S/a2 > 0 all the graphs lie above Fayed’s graph, but for S/a2=0.4
S/a2 < 0, the graphs lie below Fayed’s results for a portion of the S/a2=1.6
β values. For example, for S/a2=-0.4, for β<45๐, the curve lies 0.50 Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
below Fayed’s results. This is a clear indication that crack

KIIA/K0
shielding is occurring and this phenomenon is an important
difference with respect to the other cases. 0.40
1.75
S/a2=-0.4
S/a2=-0.2 0.30
S/a2=0
1.50 S/a2=0.2
S/a2=0.4 0.20
S/a2=1.6
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
1.25 0.10
KIA/K0

0.00
1.00 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
β (deg.)

FIGURE 15. NORMALIZED MODE II SIFS VS. THE EDGE

CRACK SLANT ANGLE β AS A FUNCTION OF S/a2 FOR EDGE-
0.75 EMBEDDED CRACKS (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 10 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).

0.50
0.25
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
β (deg.)
FIGURE 14. NORMALIZED MODE I SIFS VS. THE EDGE
CRACK SLANT ANGLE β AS A FUNCTION OF S/a2 FOR EDGE-
EMBEDDED CRACKS (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 10 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).
Figure 15 reports the results of the normalized Mode II SIF as
a function of β. The trends of the graphs follow the trends noted
previously, namely, that as the size of the embedded crack
decreases, the maxima of the KII graphs also decrease. It is also
noted that in Fig. 15, for S/a2 > 0 all the graphs lie above Fayed’s
graph as in Figs. 7 and 9, except the S/a2 = 1.6 graph. For S/a2
< 0, the graphs appear to change order as one approaches the
local minimum. In Figs. 7 and 9, the order of the minimum from
8
left to right is S/a2 = 0, -0.2, -0.4, whereas, here, the order of the
local minimum. In Figs. 7 and 9, the order of the minimum from
left to right is S/a2 = 0, -0.4, -0.2, respectively.
Upon further investigation, this behavior appears to be due to
the small size of the embedded crack and that both crack tips of
the embedded crack are close enough to influence the KII value
of the slanted edge crack. Whereas in Figs. 7 and 9, both S/a2 =
0 and -0.2 graphs cross Fayed’s graph twice, in Fig. 15 the only
graph to cross twice is the S/a2=0 graph. With further decrease
in embedded crack size, a1, all S/a2 < 0 cases studied are expected
to fall below Fayed’s case for large slant angle β.
The amplification factors of the KI and KII SIFs due to the
introduction of the short, embedded crack are discussed next,
and are plotted versus the slant angle β in Figs 16 and 17.
Figure 16 provides the KI amplification factor versus β. The
behavior for S/a2 > 0 follows those seen in Figs 9 and 13; yet,
due to the short, embedded crack, the magnitude of the
amplification factors is lower than their counterparts. It is also
noted that, unlike their counterparts, the S/a2=1.6 graph lies
below the Fayed graph. Further, whereas the graphs for S/a2 <
0 were all greater than the Fayed graph when a2/a1 < 1, here,
where a2/a1 > 1, that is not the case. It is apparent that for a
portion of β values the curves lie below the Fayed curve,
pointing to the crack shielding effect mentioned earlier. For
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
 1.75 3.0
S/a2=-0.4 S/a2=-0.4
S/a2=-0.2 S/a2=-0.2
S/a2=0 S/a2=0
S/a2=0.2 2.5 S/a2=0.2
S/a2=0.4 S/a2=0.4
1.50 S/a2=1.6
S/a2=1.6
Fayed [19], a/W=0.1
2.0 Fayed [19], a/W=0.1

KIIA/KIIA0
KIA/KIA0

1.25 1.5

1.0

1.00

0.5

0.75 0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

β (deg.) β (deg.)

FIGURE 17. THE AMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE II SIF OF THE

FIGURE 16. THE AMPLIFICATION OF THE MODE I SIF OF THE
SLANTED EDGE CRACK (KIA) DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
EMBEDDED CRACK (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 10 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).
negative S/a2, the larger the |S/a2| value, the larger the region of
shielding. Thus, for S/a2=-0.4, the shielding region is from β=0
to 45๐ and the region of shielding for S/a2=-0.2 is only to ๐
Figure 17 presents the amplification factor for KII versus the
slant angle β. One notices that when the embedded crack is
short, then the amplification factor is lower. Again, the
modification of the sequence at the minima as elaborated for Fig.
15 is noted here, as well. Also, the amplification values are
much closer to 1 for S/a2 > 0 than in Figs. 9 and 13. Lastly, as
observed in Fig. 15, S/a2=0 shows characteristics of the S/a2 > 0
and S/a2 < 0 curves in that it has regions where the AF > 1 for
small slant and large slant angles like the S/a2 > 0 curves, and
has a large region of β where the AF < 1 like the S/a2 < 0 curves.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In this study, both Mode I SIFs and Mode II SIFs at the tip of
a slanted edge crack affected by an embedded crack in a semi-
infinite plate under remote tension are evaluated as a function of
the edge crack slanted angle, the vertical and horizontal
separation distance as well as the relative crack sizes of the two
cracks. The work of this investigation may be summarized as
follows:
(1) The perfect symmetrical condition due to a solitary
horizontal edge crack is altered by the presence of an
SLANTED EDGE CRACK (KIA) DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF THE
EMBEDDED CRACK (a2 = 15 mm; 2a1 = 10 mm, H/a2 = 0.4).
embedded crack or the orientation of the edge crack,
causing mixed mode conditions to develop. The Mode
I and Mode II SIFs may become of considerable
magnitude for two close cracks or when the cracks
overlap.
(2) For Mode I SIFs, the presence of the embedded crack
always appears to amplify the SIF when a2/a1 < 1. The
magnitude of this enhancement depends on the slanted
crack angle, the horizontal separation distance and the
crack ratio, a2/a1. The maximum amplification occurs
at β=60๐ for S/a2 ≤ 0, while for S/a2 > 0 it seems to be at
β=0๐. In the case where a2/a1 >1, there are situations
due to crack shielding where KI is attenuated (for
example, the cases S/a2 = -0.2 and -0.4 in Fig. 16).
(3) For Mode II SIFs, the presence of the embedded crack
will not always enhance the SIF magnitudes and this
behavior depends on the separation distance between
the cracks and the slant angle of the slanted edge crack.
In general terms, when S/a2 > 0 there is amplification.
When S/a2 is negative, there will be amplification when
the slant angle is small, then there will be a transition
where the KII curves are attenuated for most of the slant
angles investigated. When S/a2 = 0, attenuation of the
KII SIFs occur only at small angles, less than 15 deg for
a2/a1 < 1, followed by an amplification region as β

9
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
 continues to increase. When a2/a1 > 1 amplification
occurs when β becomes large or when β is very small.
Mode II SIFs can have a concave downward shape
(see S/a2=0.2 in Figs. 7 and 9) or can have a wave-like
shape whose trough is below Fayed’s results and whose
crest is above Fayed’s case (see S/a2 =-0.2 case in
Figs.7 and 9). When the embedded crack further
separates from the slanted edge crack such that S/a2 >
0, the trend of each curve is the same as Fayed’s case
(see, for example the S/a2=0.4 curve of Figs. 7 and 9).
Continued increase of the separation parameter, S/a2,
causes the Mode II SIFs to approach Fayed’s values
(e.g., the S/a2=1.6 case in Figs. 7 and 9), indicating
minimal effect of the embedded crack. For a2/a1 > 1,
the preceding descriptions are found to hold as well but
not at the same values of S/a2.
(4) With the decrease of the crack ratio a2/a1, the stress
intensity factors increase for KI as well as for KII.
Though the trends may be the same as the a2/a1=1 case,
the AFs for the decreased crack ratio case will be higher
than those of the equal crack case.
(5) With the increase of the crack ratio a2/a1 above 1, the
stress intensity factors decrease for KI as well as for KII.
Though the trends may be the same as the a2/a1=1 case,
the AFs for the increased crack ratio case will be lower
than those of the equal crack case.
(6) Whereas the embedded crack enhances the normalized
Mode I SIF for the slanted edge crack for all values of
β and all values of S/a2, the embedded crack can
enhance or reduce the normalized Mode II SIFs for the
slanted edge crack, depending on the value of β or the
value of S/a2. But the effective KI will always be larger
than the effective KI for a slant crack alone. To show
this, we define the effective normalized KIeff to be:
2 2
+ 0
(2)
0 0 0 0
where the normalized KI and KII come from Figs 10, 12,
and 16, and Figs. 11, 13, and 17, respectively, and then
each of the horizontal separation cases must be examined
separately. The factor KII0/KI0 is always < 1.
(7) For the S/a2>0, both the normalized KI and KII are always
higher than their normalized Fayed K values. For S/a2<0,
in the region where there is normalized KII attenuation,
the attenuation values are between 0 and 1, whereas the
normalized KI, in that same region, will always be much
higher than one. Hence, since the effective normalized KI
is the square root of the sum of the squares of the
normalized K values, their effective normalized KI values
will always be higher than the effective normalized KI of
the Fayed case, which is, at maximum, 1.414. For the
S/a2=0 case, the normalized KII attenuation occurs for
small angle and is between 0 and 1, which is precisely
where the normalized KI is much greater than 1.5. Hence,
the effective normalized KIeff for this case will be larger
than the effective normalized KIeff of the Fayed case. This
means that the effective normalized Mode I SIF for the
combined crack system will always be higher than the
10
effective normalized Mode I SIF for Fayed’s single
slanted edge crack for the purpose of the different Fitness-
for-Service criteria.
(8) The points made in (6) and (7) also apply for most of the
cases when a2/a1 > 1. However, there are cases where,
due to crack shielding, the effective KI will be lower than
Fayed’s value, see for example, S/a2=-0.4 case for small
β.
(9) Crack shielding plays an important role in the cases where
the crack ratio a2/a1 > 1 and, in some cases, reverses the
trends seen in the cases when the crack ratio a2/a1 < 1.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The third author (QM) would like to express his deep gratitude
to Walla Walla University for its support through its Faculty
Development Grant.
REFERENCES
[1] Yuichi Okamura, Akihiro Sakashita, Toshihiko Fukuda,
Hironobu Yamashita, and Tuneo Futami, 2003, “Latest SCC
Issues of Core Shroud and Recirculation Piping in Japanese
BWRs”, Trans. Of 17th Int. Conf. on Structural Mechanics in
Reactor Technology (SMiRT 17), Prague, WG01-1.
[2] Masayuki Kamaya, and Takumi Haruna, “Crack Initiation
Model for Type 304 Stainless Steel in High Temperature
Water.” Corrosion Science 2006; 48:2442-56.
[3] ASME B&PV Code Section XI, 2007, Rules for Inservice
Inspection and Tests of Nuclear Power Plant Components.
[4] British Standards, 2005, Guide to Methods for Assessing the
Acceptability of Flaws in Metallic Structures, BS 7910.
[5] European Fitness-for-Service Network (FITNET), GTC1-
2001-43049.
[6] American Petroleum Institute, 2007, “Fitness-for-Service,”
API 579-1/ASME FFS-1.
[7] The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2008, “Rules on
Fitness-for-Service” for Nuclear Power Plant,” JSME S NA1-
2008 (in Japanese).
[8] Masayuki Kamaya, 2008, “Growth Evaluation of Multiple
Interacting Surface Cracks. Part I: Experiments and Simulation
of Coalesced Crack”, Engineering Fracture Mechanics 75 (2008)
1350–1366.
[9] Kunio Hasegawa, Koichi Saito, and Katsumasa Miyazaki,
2009, “Alignment Rule for Non-Aligned Flaws for Fitness- for-
Service Evaluations Based on LEFM,” ASME JPVT, Vol. 131/
041403-1.
[10] Kunio Hasegawa, Katsumasa Miyazaki, and Koichi Saito,
“Behavior of Plastic Collapse Moments for Pipes with Two
Non-Aligned Flaws,” ASME PVP2010-25199, Bellevue,
Washington, July 18-22, 2010.
[11] Kunio Hasegawa, Katsumasa Miyazaki, and Koichi Saito,
“Plastic Collapse Loads for Flat Plates with Dissimilar Non-
Aligned Through-Wall Cracks,” ASME PVP2011-57841, July
17-21, 2011, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
[12] Katsumasa Miyazaki, Kunio Hasegawa, and Koichi Saito,
“Effect of Flaw Dimensions on Ductile Fracture Behavior of
Non-Aligned Multiple Flaws in a Plate,” ASME PVP2011-
57559, July 17-21, 2011, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Copyright © 2024 by ASME
[13] Kazuhiro Suga, Katsumasa Miyazaki, Shota Kawasaki,
and Yohei Arai, “Study on the Interaction of Multiple Flaws in
Ductile Fracture Process,” ASME PVP2011-57188, July 17-21,
2011, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
[14] Kazuhiro Suga, Katsumasa Miyazaki, Ryotaro Senda, and
Masanori Kikuchi, “Ductile Fracture Simulation of Multiple
Surface Flaws,” ASME PVP2011-57147, July 17-21, 2011,
Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
[15] Qin Ma, Cesar Levy, and Mordechai Perl, “A LEFM Based
Study on the Interaction Between an Edge and an Embedded
Parallel Crack,” ASME PVP2013-97083, July 14-18, 2013,
Paris, France.
[16] Qin Ma, Mordechai Perl, and Cesar Levy, “Stress Intensity
Factors for an Edge Crack Interacting with an Embedded
Parallel Crack for a Finite Plate Under Pure Bending,” ASME
PVP2019-93248, July 14-18, 2013, July 14-19, 2019, San
Antonio, TX, USA.
[17] Cesar Levy, Qin Ma, Mordechai Perl, “The Influence of a
Non-Aligned Semi-Elliptical Embedded Crack on the Stress
Intensity Factor Distribution along the front of a Quarter-Circle
Corner Crack in a Semi-Infinite Plate Under Pure Bending”,
ASME IMECE2020, November 15-18, 2020, Portland, Oregon,
USA.
[18] Mordechai Perl, Cesar Levy, and Qin Ma, “A Mixed-Mode
Analysis of Two Parallel Non-Aligned Cracks in a Large Flat
11
Plate Subjected to Remote Tension,” ASME IMECE2021-
71978, November 1-5, 2021, Virtual, online.
[19] A. S. Fayed, “Numerical Analysis of Mixed Mode I/II
Stress Intensity Factors of Edge Slanted Cracked Plates.”
Engineering Solid Mechanics (2017), 51(6), 61-70.
[20] Liang Shi, and S Olutunde Oyadiji, “Numerical analysis
of mixed mode (I/II) stress intensity factors of single edge
cracked/notched plates under different boundary conditions
using strain energy approach.” September 22nd, 2022, DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2061136/v1
[21] P.S. Theocaris, and J.G. Michopoulos, “A Closed-Form
Solution of a Slanted Crack Under Biaxial Loading.”
Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp 97-123,
1983.
[22] Swanson Analysis System Inc. (2009), “ANSYS 12 User
Manual”.
[23] Hiroshi Tada, Paul C. Paris, and George R. Irwin, 2000, The
Stress Analysis of Cracks Handbook, 3rd ed., ASME, New York.
[24] David P. Rooke, and David J. Cartwright, 1976,
Compendium of Stress Intensity Factors, Her Majesty’s
Stationary Office, London.
[25] R. O. Ritchie, “Mechanisms of fatigue crack propagation in
metals, ceramics and composites: Role of crack tip shielding,”
Materials Science and Engineering: A (1988), 103(1), 15-28.
Copyright © 2024 by ASME