A simple SIF determination method for cracked orthotropic cylindrical shell by means of stress ratio.

• A convenient calculation method for SIF in orthotropic cylindrical shell is proposed. • The relation between SIF and FEM stress has been found. • It is found that the SIFs for different loadings can be expressed in the same way. • Simplified equations of SIF components of orthotropic and isotropic shells are the same. • The validity of present method is clarified by comparing to the conventional method. A convenient and universal calculation method for stress intensity factor (SIF) in cracked orthotropic cylindrical shell under diverse loadings is described. The present expressions are derived from traditional classical numerical method and simplified by extracting and eliminating the complex but regular parameters. A simple relation between SIF and crack tip stress from finite element method (FEM) is constructed by means of reference problem and unknown problem, then a simple SIF formulation can be realized and the impact of material orthotropy is considered. The feasibility and advantages of present study are proved to be analyzed by comparing against published results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]