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Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 32, Number 5, July30 2009 , pages 609-620
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2009.32.5.609
 


Generalized fracture toughness for specimens with re-entrant corners: Experiments vs. theoretical predictions
Alberto Carpinteri, Pietro Cornetti, Nicola Pugno, Alberto Sapora and David Taylor

 
Abstract
    In this paper the results of a series of experimental tests upon three-point bending specimens made of polystyrene and containing re-entrant corners are firstly described. Tests involved different notch angles, different notch depths and finally different sizes of the samples. All the specimens broke at the defect, as expected because of the material brittleness and, hence, the generalized stress intensity factor was expected to be the governing failure parameter. Recorded failure loads are then compared with the predictions provided by a fracture criterion recently introduced in the framework of Finite Fracture Mechanics: fracture is assumed to propagate by finite steps, whose length is determined by the contemporaneous fulfilment of energy balance and stress requirements. This fracture criterion allows us to achieve the expression of the generalized fracture toughness as a function of the tensile strength, the fracture toughness and the notch opening angle. Comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental data turns out to be more than satisfactory.
 
Key Words
    three-point bending test; V-notch; fracture toughness; tensile strength; Finite Fracture Mechanics.
 
Address
Alberto Carpinteri, Pietro Cornetti, Nicola Pugno and Alberto Sapora: Dept. of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
David Taylor: Dept. of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
 

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