Papers by Keyword: Crack Kinking

Abstract: To understand the mechanical behavior of the concrete structures, one must analyze deformation and fracture of the interfaces between the constituents of the material that the structure is made of. Criteria for predicting the crack growth along an interface, based on the linear elastic fracture mechanics concept, applied for the cement substrate/aggregate interface, are presented in this paper. The two possible directions of the interfacial crack growth – the crack propagation along the interface and the crack kinking away from the interface are considered, with the corresponding energy release rates. For the case of the crack approaching the interface from one of the materials – cement, the competition between the crack deflecting into the interface and the crack penetrating the interface is considered with the corresponding energy release rates.

Abstract: The problem of crack deflection from the interface between two orthotropic materials is analyzed using the concept of Finite fracture mechanics and matched asymptotic procedure. A fracture criterion based on the energy approach is introduced for this problem. The main input for such criterion is the complex stress intensity factor calculated e.g. using the two-state integral. However for more precise predictions of the crack propagation also higher order terms of the asymptotic expansion are advisable to involve in the fracture criterion. To this end a T-stress term will be calculated and considered as the second input parameter. The matched asymptotic procedure together with FEM is used to derive the change of the potential energy induced by the incremental crack growth.

Abstract: An energy-based fracture mode has been derived for the mode I crack kinking and branching. The classic -integral has been further explored by a new partial integral path and the analytical solution of the energy release rate for crack kinking and branching from a mode-I crack tip has been established. The crack kinking/branching angle has also been analytically derived. It shows that the Griffith’s theorem and conservation law can be applied to both model I crack extension and model I crack kinking and branching. The branching mechanism for quasi-static mode-I crack has been theoretically investigated. The branching toughness and the K-based criterion for crack branching have been defined. The crack branching phenomena predicted by the present model are in well agreement with the experimental observations reported in the literatures.

Abstract: Cotterell and Rice theory (1980) on the kinking of a crack submitted to a biaxial loading in a homogeneous material has been recently revisited (Leguillon and Murer 2008). The mixed criterion for fracture which involves both an energetic and a stress condition (Leguillon 2002) allows defining a positive threshold of the T-stress below which no branching can occur (Selvarathinam and Goree 1998). This analysis enters within a more general mixed-mode analysis (I+II+T-stress). Despite the complex terms and the oscillations, results extend to interfacial cracks. The assumption of a crack jump as a consequence of the energy balance allows getting rid of the problem brought by the oscillations due to these complex terms. This approach brings a new insight on the prediction of crack kinking out of a bimaterial interface.