Experimental and Theoretical Assessment of Brittle Fracture in Engineering Components Containing a Sharp V-Notch

A criterion was proposed to predict brittle fracture in engineering components containing sharp V-shaped notches and subjected to mixed mode I/II loading. The criterion, called SV-MTS, was developed based on the maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion proposed originally for analyzing crack problems. The curves which are obtained from the SV-MTS criterion could be used conveniently to predict the fracture resistance and also the notch bifurcation angle in sharp V-notched components under pure mode II and also mixed mode loading. To evaluate the validity of the proposed criterion, a set of fracture tests were conducted on a new test specimen, called sharp V-notched Brazilian disc (SV-BD), under mixed mode loading conditions. It is shown that the experimental results obtained from PMMA specimens are in very good agreement with the curves of SV-MTS criterion.     

Analysis of fracture initiation angle in some cracked ceramics using the generalized maximum tangential stress criterion

Brittle fracture in ceramics sometimes occurs under combined opening-sliding (or mixed mode I/II) crack deformation. In this paper, a generalized maximum tangential stress criterion is employed for predicting the fracture initiation angle under mixed mode I/II loading in some brittle ceramics including alumina, zirconia, soda lime glass and three silicon based ceramics. The experimental results reported for the fracture angles in these ceramics have been obtained from fracture tests on the centrally cracked circular disc (often called the Brazilian disc). Very good agreement is shown to exist between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions. According to the fracture model, the mixed mode fracture angle is strongly dependent on the elastic T-stress in the tested ceramics. The negative T-stress that exists in the Brazilian disc specimen can be the main influencing parameter for decreasing the fracture initiation angle in the investigated ceramics.     

Determination of mode II fracture toughness for U-shaped notches using Brazilian disc specimen

A brittle fracture criterion is proposed for predicting fracture toughness of U-shaped notches under pure mode II loading. The criterion, called UMTS, is developed based on the maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion. The UMTS criterion can be generally used for determining the mode II fracture toughness of U-notched components as well as the fracture initiation angle in U-shaped notches under pure mode II loading. To verify the validity of the proposed criterion, a set of experiments were carried out on the U-notched Brazilian disc (UNBD) specimens made of PMMA and also soda-lime glass. It is shown that there is a good agreement between the results of the UMTS criterion and the experimental results both for fracture toughness and for the fracture initiation angle under pure mode II conditions.     

Mixed mode fracture in soda lime glass analyzed by using the generalized MTS criterion

Glasses are known to be vulnerable to tensile stresses particularly in the presence of pre-existing cracks. Since cracks in glass components are very often subjected to mixed mode loading, several researchers have studied mixed mode fracture in soda lime glass using different test specimens. Among these specimens, the cracked Brazilian disc specimen has been used most frequently by investigators. However, it is shown in this paper that the previously reported experimental results obtained from the cracked Brazilian disc specimen for several glasses are always underestimated by fracture theories like the maximum tangential stress criterion. A generalized maximum tangential stress criterion is then employed for predicting the mixed mode fracture test results. It is shown that the experimental results obtained from the cracked Brazilian disc specimen and reported in the literature for soda lime glass can be estimated very well when the generalized criterion is used. It is also shown that the same criterion can be used for predicting the test results available in the literature for brittle fracture in a glass plate containing an angled center-crack.     

On determination of mode II fracture toughness using semi-circular bend specimen

The cracked semi-circular specimen subjected to three-point bending has been recognized as an appropriate test specimen for conducting mode I, mode II and mixed mode I/II fracture tests in brittle materials. The manufacturing and pre-cracking of the specimen are simple. No complicated loading fixture is also required for a fracture test. However, almost all of the theoretical criteria available for mixed mode brittle fracture fail to predict the experimentally determined mode II fracture toughness obtained from the semi-circular bend (SCB) specimen. In this paper, a modified maximum tangential stress criterion is used for calculating mode II fracture toughness K_IIc in terms of mode I fracture toughness K_Ic. The modified criterion is used for predicting the reported values of mode II fracture toughness for two brittle materials: a rock material (Johnstone) and a brittle polymer (PMMA). It is shown that the modified criterion provides very good predictions for experimental results.     

Effect of pure mode I,II or III loading or mode mixity on crack growth in a homogeneous solid

Crack growth is analyzed numerically under combined mode I, II and III loading, or under loading in one of these modes alone. The solid is a ductile metal modelled as elastic–plastic, and the fracture process is represented in terms of a cohesive zone model. The analyses are carried out for conditions of small-scale yielding, with the elastic mixed mode solution applied as boundary conditions on the outer edge of the region analyzed. For pure mode I loading crack growth continued far beyond the maximum fracture toughness shows that the predicted subsequent steady-state toughness is well below the maximum. The reason for this is discussed in terms of the local stress and strain fields around the tip. For pure mode II or mode III loading it is shown that there is no maximum before the steady-state. Also results for different mixed mode conditions are presented and discussed in relation to the results for loading in only one mode. Most of the results are based on assuming that the peak tractions for tangential separation are equal to that for normal separation, but it is shown that a relatively smaller peak traction for tangential separation may significantly affect the predictions.     

Fracture analysis of U-notched disc-type graphite specimens under mixed mode loading

Fracture phenomenon was investigated both experimentally and theoretically for a type of coarse-grained polycrystalline graphite weakened by a U-shaped notch under mixed mode loading. First, 36 disc-type graphite specimens containing a central U-notch, so called in literature as the U-notched Brazilian disc (UNBD), were prepared for four different notch tip radii and the fracture tests were performed under mode I and mixed mode I/II loading conditions. Then, the experimentally obtained fracture loads and the fracture initiation angles were predicted by using the U-notched maximum tangential stress (UMTS) and the newly formulated U-notched mean stress (UMS) fracture criteria. Both the criteria were developed in the form of the fracture curves and the curves of fracture initiation angle, in terms of the notch stress intensity factors (NSIFs). The results showed that while the criteria could predict successfully the experimental notch fracture toughness values, the UMS criterion provides slightly better predictions than the UMTS criterion, particularly for shear-dominant deformations. Also, found in this research was that the curves of fracture initiation angle were almost identical for the two criteria which both could predict well the experimental results.     

基于GMTS准则的岩石复合型断裂机理研究

使用国际岩石力学协会规定的半圆盘岩石试件,加工不同倾角的直裂纹试样,通过三点弯曲加载试验得到不同I-II复合比断裂的断裂韧性和初始断裂角．传统裂纹扩展准则忽视了常数项即T应力及更高阶项的影响,导致该扩展准则的理论预测结果存在较大缺陷,本文通过考虑常数项,建立广义最大周向应力准则(GMTS)．在此基础上,分别采用传统的裂纹扩展准则和考虑T应力的裂纹扩展准则预测不同复合比裂纹的断裂韧性和初始扩展角,然后对比理论预测结果和实验结果．分析可得：常数项即T应力对断裂的临界应力强度因子和初始断裂角的影响是不可忽略的,且II型断裂占比较大时影响更大,广义最大周向应力准则预测值与实验测试结果之间的误差最小．     

广义平均形状改变能密度断裂准则及应用

基于形状改变能为材料起裂扩展控制参量的物理事实及裂纹尖端断裂控制区能量平均概念,提出了计及裂纹尖端应力场特征级数展开奇异项和常数项的广义平均形状改变能密度(GADSED)准则,建立了I-II-III 混合型裂纹断裂判据计算式,为工程结构疲劳断裂评估提供了新选择．基于提出的GADSED 准则,系统分析了T应力对裂纹断裂判据的影响,结果表明：当参数|Ba|数值相同时：负值T应力的I-II 混合型裂纹更易起裂扩展,正值T应力的KΙf值高于负值T应力的KΙf值,正负T应力的KIIf值相同;T应力在区间0 < Bα < 0.45 时增大了KΙf值（3 %以内）,T应力降低了KIIf值．根据GADSED 准则完成了双轴疲劳载荷平板表面I 型裂纹扩展寿命预报,结果表明：基于GADSED 准则的裂纹扩展寿命预报值约为传统方法预报值的40.7 %,可为工程实际评估提供借鉴．     

The mixed mode brittle fracture criteria in siliding mode fracture

It is well-known that the present mixed mode brittle fracture criteria are all theopening mode fracture criterion.We consider that mixed mode brittle fracture of slidingmode fracture exists too.Hence we propose three criteria of mixed mode brittle fracture ofsliding mode fracture;:the radial shearing stress criterion,the maximum shearing stresscriterion and the distortional strain-energy-density criterion.Thus,we can overall explainthe phenomena of brittle fracture in the structural elements with cracks.     

A Zener–Stroh crack interacting with a coated inclusion with generalized Irwin plastic zone correction

The elastic–plastic fracture behavior of a Zener–Stroh crack interacting with a coated inclusion in composite materials has been investigated with crack tip plastic zone corrections. With the distributed dislocation method, the crack problem is formulated into a set of singular integral equations which are solved numerically. The plastic zone sizes at the both crack tips are determined by a generalized Irwin model where Von Mises stress yielding criterion is used. The stress intensity factor (SIF), the plastic zone size (PZS), the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) and the effective stress intensity factor have been evaluated. In the numerical examples, the influence of the inclusion shear modulus, the coating-layer thickness and shear modulus, as well as the distance between the crack and inclusion, on the SIF, the PZS and the CTOD are discussed in detail. Numerical examples show that increasing the shear modulus or the thickness of the coating phase, the influence of the inclusion on the normalized SIF and the normalized PZS will be shielded.     

复合材料分层断裂判据及扩展准则研究

针对现有层间开裂判据及扩展准则未考虑断裂模式耦合性的现状,本文提出了基于模式混合度的复合材料分层断裂判据及扩展准则。依此模型计算了蒙皮/凸缘复合材料加筋层合板结构的分层扩展行为。计算结果表明,所提出的开裂判据及扩展准则能够较好的预测蒙皮/凸缘复合材料加筋层合板结构的断裂力学行为,所得结果对确定含损伤复合材料加筋层合板结...     

A coated rigid elliptical inclusion loaded by a couple in the presence of uniform interfacial and hoop stresses

We consider a confocally coated rigid elliptical inclusion, loaded by a couple and introduced into a remote uniform stress field. We show that uniform interfacial and hoop stresses along the inclusion–coating interface can be achieved when the two remote normal stresses and the remote shear stress each satisfy certain conditions. Our analysis indicates that: (i) the uniform interfacial tangential stress depends only on the area of the inclusion and the moment of the couple; (ii) the rigid-body rotation of the rigid inclusion depends only on the area of the inclusion, the coating thickness, the shear moduli of the composite and the moment of the couple; (iii) for given remote normal stresses and material parameters, the coating thickness and the aspect ratio of the inclusion are required to satisfy a particular relationship; (iv) for prescribed remote shear stress, moment and given material parameters, the coating thickness, the size and aspect ratio of the inclusion are also related. Finally, a harmonic rigid inclusion emerges as a special case if the coating and the matrix have identical elastic properties.     

脆性断裂的非局部力学理论

本文提出一种脆性材料断裂的非局部力学理论,内容包括:Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型Griffith裂纹的非局部弹性应力场,裂纹尖端邻域非局部弹性应力场的渐近形式,脆性开裂的最大拉应力准则。文中给出了这种理论应用于三种基本型裂纹和Ⅰ-Ⅱ、Ⅰ-Ⅲ复合型裂纹临界开裂条件的计算结果,并把它们与一些试验资料和最小应变能密度因子理论进行了对比。     

On the circumferential strain factor criterion of mixed mode brittle fracture

In this paper, the criteria of mixed mode brittle fracture are carefully examined. It has been shown that, the circumferential strain factor criterion is rational and safe.With the exception of opening mode, mixed mode plane strain fracture of comparatively ductile materials(metals), in general, does not follow the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics.Like the stress intensity factor that which is concerned is playing an important role in pure opening mode crack problems. We believe that, in mixed mode crack problems, the circumferential strain factor will become a parameter to determine the rate of fatigue crack propagation per cycle, and of stress corrosion cracking per unit time.First published in Nanking Aeronautical Institute Report of Science and Technology, No. 680, Jan., 1980 (in Chinese).     

PLANE STRAIN PROBLEM OF PIEZOELECTRIC SOLID WITH ELLIPTIC INCLUSION

By using the complex variables function theory, a plane strain electro-elastic analysis was performed on a transversely isotropic piezoelectric material containing an elliptic elastic inclusion, which is subjected to a uniform stress field and a uniform electric displacement loads at infinity. Based on the present finite element results and some related theoretical solutions, an acceptable conjecture was found that the stress field is constant inside the elastic inclusion. The stress field solutions in the piezoelectric matrix and the elastic inclusion were obtained in the form of complex potentials based on the impermeable electric boundary conditions.     

Plasticity aspects of interfacial fracture for polymer/glass specimens

Experimental results suggest that the interfacial fracture resistance is minimal for approximate near tip Mode I accompanied by positive and negative near tip Mode II. Finite-strain FE analysis is made for an elastic–plastic medium bonded to an ideally elastic medium with an interface crack. Small-scale plasticity conditions are invoked and examined in relation to the elastic–plastic stress distribution along the bond line. Plasticity engenders a tendency to turn near tip biaxiality towards pure Mode I regardless of the mixed-mode loading. High levels of hydrostatic stress are attained. For different mode mixities of the applied load, the dependence of the elastic–plastic normal bond stress on load level is examined. It is found that under positive Mode II loading, the normal bond stress σ_yy tends to saturate as the load level rises. This does not occur for Mode I and negative Mode II loading. In addition, deformation patterns inside the plastic zone are examined for mixed-mode situations. A displacement criterion based on the normal bond crack opening suggests a dependence of the critical load level on the extent of mixed mode. Under positive mode II fracture, traces of the ductile material are found at the top of the elastic substrate. Some of these conclusions appear to be consistent with the fracture patterns observed for LD-polyethylene/glass interfacial mixed-mode fracture.     

A new criterion for mixed mode fracture initiation based on the crack tip plastic core region

In this work, we propose a new criterion for mixed mode I-II crack initiation angles based on the characteristics of the plastic core region surrounding the crack tip. The shape and size of the plastic core region are thoroughly analyzed under different loading conditions and a new formulation for the non-dimensional variable radius of the core region is presented for mixed mode (K_I−K_II) fracture. The proposed criterion states that the crack extends in the direction of the local or global minimum of the plastic core region boundary depending on the resultant stress state at the crack tip. The results show a well-defined correlation between the plastic core region characteristics and crack extension angles predicted by other criteria. The proposed criterion is formulated for various loading conditions and is compared with other available criteria against the limited available experimental data. It is shown that the proposed criterion provides a better agreement with the experimental data.     

A nonlocal theory for brittle fracture

In this paper, a nonlocal theory of fracture for brittle materials has been systematically developed, which is composed of the nonlocal elastic stress fields of Griffith cracks of mode-I, II and III, the asymptotic forms of the stress fields at the neighborhood of the crack tips, and the maximum tensile stress criterion for brittle fracture. As an application of the theory, the fracture criteria of cracks of mode-I, II, III and mixed mode I–II, I–III are given in detail and compared with some experimental data and the theoretical results of minimum strain energy density factor.     

纤维复合材料复合型断裂正应力强度因子比准则

对纤维增强复合材料的裂纹起裂及开裂方向准则进行了研究，提出了复合型断裂的正应力强度因子比准则（Normal Stress Intensity Factor Raito Criterion).此准则是一种综合考虑了正应力强度因子和剪应力强度因子对裂纹起裂的推动的准则，并且不需要预先确定材料的特征尺度，使用较方便，且预测结果是很好的。