We present an experimental study on mixed-mode crack propagation in thin sheet specimens of a soft silicone elastomer. To introduce loading, we adopted the widely applied pure shear fracture testing geometry, but oriented initial at inclined angle relative to direction perpendicular external tensile loading. Because angle, locally tip was subjected both and loading even though global tensile, t...

A "slightly" modified version of the "crush-crack" damage model (di Prisco and Mazars, 1996) is here presented and applied to numerical analysis of typical mixed-mode fracture tests. Besides the validation of the proposed modifications, the work is also instrumental in understanding the reliability of either the shear behaviour description supplied by the model and of the proposed test geometri...

This study numerically predicts the failure scenario of a cracked concrete gravity dam through a push-over nonlinear analysis. The mixed-mode Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) was employed using the extended finite element method (XFEM). The dam base was considered to be fully fixed without any foundation effects. The hydrostatic pressure on the dam's upstream face was increased incremen...

Interlaminar fracture mechanics has proven useful for characterizing the onset of delaminations in composites and has been used with limited success primarily to investigate onset in fracture toughness specimens and laboratory size coupon type specimens. Future acceptance of the methodology by industry and certification authorities however, requires the successful demonstration of the methodolo...

Turon’s methodology for determining optimal analysis parameters for the simulation of progressive delamination is reviewed. Recommended procedures for determining analysis parameters for efficient delamination growth predictions using the Abaqus/Standard cohesive element and relatively coarse meshes are provided for single and mixed-mode loading. The Abaqus cohesive element, COH3D8, and a user-...

This paper investigates the roles of external loads and specimen geometry on crack path selection in adhesively bonded joints. First, the effect of mixed mode fracture on crack path selection is studied. Using epoxy as an adhesive and aluminum as the adherends, double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens with various T-stress levels are prepared and tested under mixed mode fracture loading. Post-fai...

Traction–separation relations can be used to represent the adhesive interactions of a bimaterial interface during fracture. In this paper, a direct method is proposed to determinemixed-mode traction– separation relations based on a combination of global and local measurements including load-displacement, crack extension, crack tip opening displacement, and fracture resistance curves. Mixed-mode...

Fracture propagation, especially for fractures emanating from inclined wellbores and closed natural fracture often involves Mode I, Mode II and at times Mode III fracture pattern. When an embedded inclined 3D fracture is subjected to compression, the fracture tips are restrained by the surrounding materials so that it does not propagates as predicted by 2D fracture models. In this paper, threed...

An investigation into the mixed mode fracture of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC)beams with one percent volume fraction of steel fiber is presented. A series of notched beams withdifferent notch depths and locations are tested under three-point bending. The test results for apparentfracture toughness, crack trajectories, and fracture energy are presented. The crack paths for SFRCand plain...