De-localizing brittle fracture

Extreme localization of damage in conventional brittle materials is the source a host undesirable effects. We show how artificially engineered metamaterials with constituents can be designed to ensure that every breakable sub-element fails independently. The main role proposed design played by high contrast composite sub-structure zero-stiffness, furnishing nonlocal stress redistribution. ability de-localize cracking such nominally systems linked fact their continuum description dominated gradient (bending) rather than classical (stretching) elasticity. By engineering crossover from effectively ductile (quasi-brittle) behavior, we reveal structural underpinning behind difference fracture and damage.