The stability of crack growth in a beam subject to combined bending and tensile loadings: I: Beam built-in at one end

The stability of crack growth in a beam subject to combined bending and tensile loadings is examined for the case where the material is very ductile and where the beam is built-in at one end. Application of a displacement at the free end, and variation of the angle which the displacement makes with the beam, allows the combined effects of bending and tensile loadings on the stability of crack growth to be assessed. The stability analysis is based on the tearing modulus procedure, and the general conclusion is that tensile loadings can promote crack instability.