SUDDEN EXTENSION OF A CRACK IN AN ELASTIC SOLID

A particular motion of a half plane crack in an elastic solid subjected to general loading is considered. The loading is prescribed so that the mode of deformation of the crack is initially at rest and then, at a certain instant, begins to move with a constant velocity which is less than the Rayleigh wave speed. A fundamental solution is derived for particular loading on the body which makes it possible to obtain the solution for the complete dynamic stress field due to crack extension by linear superposition. The details of the solution are worked out for the dynamic stress intensity factor for the moving crack. It is found that the stress intensity factor varies almost linearly with crack speed, from the static value at zero speed to zero at the Rayleigh wave speed. Some numerical results are also presented for the shape of the crack tip as a function of crack speed. Finally, the energy release rate of the moving crack tip is plotted as a function of crack tip speed. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Brown University

  Division of Engineering
  Providence, RI  United States  02912
• Authors:
  • Freund, L B
• Publication Date: 1971-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 34 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Elastic deformation; Stresses; Structural analysis
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack propagation; Stress intensity factors
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00025726
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: AFML-TR-71-176 Summar Rpt
• Contract Numbers: F33615-71-C-1308
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 28 1972 12:00AM