摘要

This paper numerically deals with the ultimate strength reduction characteristics of steel plate due to crack damage under longitudinal compression. A series of nonlinear finite element analyses was carried out with varying the length, location, and orientation angle of cracks to examine their effects on the ultimate strength of cracked steel plates. Three types of cracks, namely transverse crack, longitudinal crack and inclined crack, are considered in the present study. It was assumed that the cracks are through thickness, having no contact between their faces and propagation of cracks is not considered in the present study. It is found that the minimum and the maximum ultimate strength values are obtained for the transverse crack and longitudinal crack cases respectively when the crack length is constant. The projected length of the crack normal to loading direction is an influential parameter to the ultimate compressive strength of plate with central inclined crack. Based on the numerical results, simple empirical formula as a function of crack projected length are proposed to predict the ultimate strength of plate with central inclined crack under longitudinal compression.