Linear model of a plastic zone in the vicinity of a sharp notch under the conditions of longitudinal shear

A procedure is proposed for the evaluation of the load in the case where the plastic zone in the vicinity of a stress concentrator increases almost self-similarly (homothetically). The notion of measure of nonself-similarity of the development of the shape of the zone determined on the basis of its simulation by a single plastic strip is introduced. For some types of stress concentrators, under the conditions of antiplane deformation, we determine the levels of loading for which the plastic zone develops self-similarly (with required accuracy).