Papers by Keyword: Dynamic Crack Propagation

Abstract: Fracture of quasi-brittle heterogeneous materials is steered by processes at several different scale levels. These processes can progress independently or affect each other. In order to model fracture of such materials one should account for all rupture processes contributing to overall fracture process. This paper is presenting structural-temporal approach for analysis of multiscale nature of brittle fracture. Notion of spatial-temporal cell for different scale levels is introduced. Problem of experimental determination of a fixed scale level is discussed. Possible interconnections of this scale level with higher and lower scale levels are discussed. It is shown that this can give a possibility to predict fracture on a higher (real) scale level having experimental data obtained on a lower (laboratory) scale. This possibility is of extreme importance for many applications where the possibility to evaluate material strength properties on real structure scale level does not exist (ex. geological objects, big concrete structures, trunk pipelines, etc.).

Abstract: Dynamic crack propagation in PMMA was studied using the method of caustics in combination with a Cranz-Schardin type high-speed camera. Three different types of specimen geometries were employed to achieve the crack acceleration, deceleration and re-acceleration process in one fracture event. Dynamic stress intensity factor KID and the crack velocity were evaluated in the course of crack propagation to obtain the relationship between KID and the velocity The effect of crack acceleration and deceleration on the KID -velocity relations was examined.

Abstract: The present investigation aimed at visualizing the propagating crack in a mechano-luminescence (ML) material, which enabled us to measure instantaneous R-curves and observe directly the bridging (shielding) stress in the fast-propagating crack system. The well-known ML compound, SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy,Nd, was adopted as a testing material. The crack initiation and growth from the mechanically machined sharp notch tip in the disc shaped compact tension (CT) specimen at a relatively fast loading rate were found to be associated with the extent of light emission around the crack. The in-situ measurement of crack length and applied load for 0.3 sec yielded an instantaneous R-curve at the conventional crack propagation speed.