The present paper discusses the results of an investigation into the effects of test rate and the mode of loading on the fracture energy, Gc, of adhesively-bonded fibre-composite joints. Various carbon-fibre reinforced-polymer (CFRP) matrix composite substrates have been bonded using two different types of automotive structural epoxy-adhesives. They have been tested via loading the bonded joint...

In this research, an efficient Galerkin Finite Volume Method (GFVM) along with the h–refinement adaptive process and post–processing error estimation analysis is presented for fracture analysis. The adaptive strategy is used to produce more accurate solution with the least computational cost. To investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the developed model, the GFVM is compared with two versio...

In this paper, the interface crack of two non-homogenous functionally graded materials is studied. Subsequently, with employing the displacement method for fracture of mixed-mode stress intensity factors, the continuous variation of material properties are calculated. In this investigation, the displacements are derived with employing of the functional graded material programming and analysis o...

In this chapter some of the standard procedures for delamination testing of unidirectional polymer composites will be examined. The main objective is to explore the possibilities of applying the standard testing methods to interlayer toughened composites and to establish parameters which may influence fracture toughness measurements. Existing standards for mode I and mode II delamination testin...

Fracture mode of ductile solids can vary depending on the history of stress state the material experienced. For example, ductile plates under remote in-plane loading are often found to rupture in mode I or mixed mode I/III. The distinct crack patterns are observed in many different metals and alloys, but until now the underlying physical principles, though highly debated, remain unresolved. Her...

Fracture assessment of U- and V-notches is important in mechanical engineering. One can use the J-integral as fracture parameter in order to predict the critical fracture load in notches. The critical value of the J-integral in cracks is a function of the material properties. In notches, however, the material properties as well as the notch dimensions affect this critical value (named fracture ...

In this investigation, a combined experimental and computational approach with a Modified Mohr Coulomb (MMC) fracture criterion employing post-initiation element softening is used to simulate stable crack propagation under Mode I, Mode III and combined Mode I/III loading conditions. Results from the studies demonstrate that good correlation exists between the measured load-displacement and the ...

The majority of fracture mechanics studies on the toughness of bone have been performed under tensile loading. However, it has recently been shown that the toughness of human cortical bone in the transverse (breaking) orientation is actually much lower in shear (mode II) than in tension (mode I); a fact that is physiologically relevant as in vivo bone is invariably loaded multiaxially. Since bo...

One of the primary objectives in the design of composite structures is the prevention of premature bond failure. Therefore, the characterization of cohesive behavior is an important field of study in structural engineering. Using fracture mechanics principles, the cohesive behavior of an epoxy bonded coarse silica sand aggregate bond interface is studied in this paper, with a focus on finding a...

The dynamic fracture behavior of layered architectures is experimentally studied. Specifically, crack penetration, trapping, and branching at an interface are examined. A newly introduced optical technique called Digital Gradient Sensing (DGS) that quantifies elasto-optic effects due to a non-uniform state of stress is extended to perform full-field measurements during the fracture event using ...