Analysis of non-localized creep induced strains and stresses in notches

A method for the estimation of time-dependent strains and stresses induced in notches has been developed. The aim of the method is to generate a solution for the creep strain and stress at the notch root based on the linear-elastic stress state, the constitutive law, and the material creep model. The proposed solution is an extension of Neuber’s total strain energy density rule for the case of time-independent deformation. The method was derived for both localized and non-localized creep in a notched body. Predictions were compared with finite element data and good agreement was obtained for various geometrical and material configurations in plane stress conditions.