Griffith-based analysis of crack initiation location in a Brazilian test

The Brazilian test has been extremely popular while prompting significant debate. main source of controversy is rooted in its indirect nature; the material tensile strength inferred upon assuming that cracking initiates at centre sample. Here, we use Griffith criterion and finite element analysis to map conditions (jaws geometry properties) result nucleation a crack. Unlike previous studies, do not restrict ourselves evaluating stress state disk centre; failure envelope generalised used establish crack location. We find range where valid much narrower than previously assumed, with current practices standards being inappropriate for wide rock-like materials. results obtained are develop protocol experimentalists can follow obtain estimate strength. This showcased specific case studies examples invalid tests from literature. Furthermore, uptake this facilitated by providing MATLAB App determines validity experiment arbitrary conditions.