Investigation of Stress Concentration Factors in Countersunk Holes of Biaxially Loaded Isotropic Plates

This study employs finite element analysis (FEA) and response surface methodology (RSM) to analyze the stress concentration factor (SCF) in a biaxially loaded isotropic plate with a central countersunk hole. A finite element model is built using ANSY and employed to generate stress concentration factor values. The finite element model was optimized in terms of mesh density and properties based on data from past literature. Five dimensionless parameters are studied: radius to width ratio, thickness to radius ratio, countersink to thickness ratio, σ_y to σ_x ratio and countersink angle. The effect of the different configurations was studied using RSM. Finally, a precise second order equation was produced to estimate the value of SCF with dimensionless parameters.