STUDIES OF BRITTLE-FRACTURE PROPAGATION IN SIX-FOOT-WIDE STEEL PLATES WITH A RESIDUAL STRAIN FIELD

This investigation was undertaken to study the propagation of brittle fracture in six-foot-wide steel plates containing a residual strain field with primary emphasis placed on a determination of the fracture speeds and strains associated with a moving crack. Five plates were prepared and tested in which the residual strain field was produced by welding tapered slots cut in the edges of the specimen. The test results clearly showed that the high residual tensile strain at the initiation edge aided the fracture initiation. For specimens with no external applied load, the fractures arrested before completely crossing the specimens; for specimens with external applied loads, even though low in magnitude, the fractures propagated completely across the plates. The recorded fracture speeds were much lower than any previously noted in tests of six-foot-wide plates, ranging from about 4000 fps near the initiation edge to as low as 50 fps in the compressive strain region. The strain response as measured by gages located at various points across the plate showed that the magnitude of peak strain and the size of the strain field associated with the moving crack tip diminished as the fracture propagated through the compressive strain field at reduced speeds.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Urbana, IL  United States  61801

  Ship Structure Committee

  National Academy of Science, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20418
• Authors:
  • Barton, F W
  • Hall, W J
• Publication Date: 1961-4-3

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 49 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Deformation curve; Fracture mechanics; Plate bearing test
• Identifier Terms: Ship Structure Committee
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack initiation; Crack propagation
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00331918
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Ship Structure Committee
• Report/Paper Numbers: SSC-130 Prog Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: NObs-65790, NObs-72046
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 21 1981 12:00AM