FRACTURE STATISTICS OF BRITTLE MATERIALS WITH SURFACE CRACKS

Several different statistical fracture theories are developed for materials with cracks confined to the surface. All assume that crack planes are normal to the surface, but are otherwise randomly oriented. The simplest theory assumes that only the component of stress normal to the crack plane contributes to fracture. This theory is in fair agreement with biaxial fracture data on pyrex glass obtained by Oh. When the contribution of shear is included in the analysis, the crack shape has to be considered. Several shapes are examined, and the corresponding fracture statistics are derived. The failure criterion employed is that fracture occurs when the maximum tensile stress on some part of the crack surface reaches the intrinsic strength of the material. The assumption of shear-sensitive cracks leads to improved agreement with experiment, but really good agreement appears to require the assumption that the cracks have a preferred orientation.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Los Angeles

  School of Architecture and Urban Planning
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90024
• Authors:
  • Batdorf, S B
  • Heinisch Jr, H L
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biaxial stress; Cracking; Failure; Fracture mechanics; Tension
• Uncontrolled Terms: Biaxial loading
• Old TRIS Terms: Crack formation
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156919
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Department of the Navy
• Report/Paper Numbers: UCLA-ENG-7703 Tech. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: N00014-76-C-0445
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 2 1977 12:00AM