Crack closure

About: Crack closure is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 28157 publications have been published within this topic receiving 588158 citations.

The effect of a circular inclusion on the stresses around a line crack in a sheet under tension

Abstract: Based on the two-dimensional theory of elasticity and by the use of Muskhelishvili technique, the effect of a circular inclusion of different elastic material on the stress state around a line crack in an infinite plate subject to tension is discussed. Here, the circular inclusion is supposed to be on the line of prolongation of the crack. Numerical calculations were carried out and the variation of the crack-tip stress intensity factor due to the geometry and elastic properties of two media was clarified.

Measurements of adherence of residually stressed thin films by indentation. II. Experiments with ZnO/Si

Abstract: Indentation‐induced delamination between thin films of ZnO and Si substrates is examined. Delamination occurs by the growth of lateral cracks, either along the interface or within the film adjacent to the interface. The crack path is determined by the indenter load and the film thickness, as well as by residual stresses formed during deposition. A change in crack path from the interface to the film, accompanied by an increase in crack radius, is observed and is interpreted as a buckling‐induced stress intensification. The interface fracture toughness is estimated from the relative crack lengths in the buckled and unbuckled films.

A nonlinear fracture mechanics approach to the growth of small cracks

Abstract: An analytical model of crack closure is used to study the crack growth and closure behavior of small cracks in plates and at notches. The calculated crack opening stresses for small and large cracks, together with elastic and elastic plastic fracture mechanics analyses, are used to correlate crack growth rate data. At equivalent elastic stress intensity factor levels, calculations predict that small cracks in plates and at notches should grow faster than large cracks because the applied stress needed to open a small crack is less than that needed to open a large crack. These predictions agree with observed trends in test data. The calculations from the model also imply that many of the stress intensity factor thresholds that are developed in tests with large cracks and with load reduction schemes do not apply to the growth of small cracks. The current calculations are based upon continuum mechanics principles and, thus, some crack size and grain structure exist where the underlying fracture mechanics assumptions become invalid because of material inhomogeneity (grains, inclusions, etc.). Admittedly, much more effort is needed to develop the mechanics of a noncontinuum. Nevertheless, these results indicate the importance of crack closure in predicting the growth of small cracks from large crack data.