An easy-to-use estimate of the energy-release rate for crack arrays

Formation of crack arrays plays an increasing role in several fields of applied physics. The energy-release rate of the cracks controls the development of the array. Therefore, following the concept of configurational forces, a simplified analytical expression is provided for the energy-release rate, which is based both on numerical studies and on a specially adapted beam model. Comparisons of this easy-to-use estimate of the energy-release rate with established results from the literature as well as detailed numerical results are presented. The provided estimate of the energy-release rate can easily be extended to non-equidistant cracks and an anisotropic material.