Crack propagation in rock plates loaded by projectile impact

Photoelastic coatings were bonded to limestone and granite plates which were then struck on edge with a steel projectile. The resulting fracture zone growth was observed with a reflecting polariscope and recorded with an image converter camera. It is shown that the maximum velocity at which cracks propagate under these circumstances is very much higher than predicted by quasi-steady theories. ‘Apparent’ supervelocity cracks can be generated by shock reflection from bounding interfaces, producing tensile waves of sufficient amplitude to activate and join isolated flaw. Photoelastic coatings are also shown to very much enhance surface-crack visualization subsequent to impact.