• Griffith observed that in stress based approach even if applying
a small load may cross the ultimate strength of the material and which was contrary to his observation. • Thus he thought of some other mechanism which sustain the material in crack like environment. • Griffith developed the theory based upon energy that gives the flow stress (σf) which is the critical value of stress at which crack starts propagating itself. • Initially his theory was applicable on brittle material and thus he didn’t considered plasticity. Energy based approach to find stress concentration
Advantage No need to account for large stress at the crack tip. Avoids analysis close to the crack tip