In this paper, we report on an experimental study of spontaneous, mixed-mode, crack propagation in weakly bonded similar and dissimilar materials. A unique experimental configuration is proposed to induce spontaneous crack growth events along the interfaces. The cracks nucleate from tiny circular holes and are triggered by an exploding wire. They subsequently propagate under the action of a con...

This study investigates the impact of various experimental parameters on reflective photoelastic coating technique used to measure stress and strain in model soil particles. The focus is directed towards three pivotal parameters: choice adhesive for coating, inherent properties light source, configuration camera color image analysis. Through a series uniaxial compression tests consistently craf...

In the present work we present a systematic experimental investigation of the generation and subsequent evolution of dynamic failure modes in sandwich structures subjected to low-speed impact. Model sandwich specimens involving a compliant polymer core sandwiched between two metal layers were designed and subjected to impact loading to simulate failure evolution mechanisms in real sandwich stru...

We studied a model composite material consisting of a thin epoxy plate (matrix) reinforced with stiff circular disks (inclusions) and subjected to a uniaxial tension. At each inclusion-matrix interface there is an interfacial layer, an interphase, which has uniform properties. The inclusions are arranged in the matrix at random but with no overlap. For comparison we also considered square and t...