A novel test specimen for mixed mode I/II/III fracture study in brittle
materials
Abstract
A new test specimen is proposed for investigation of mixed mode I/II/III
fracture of materials. In the test specimen, by displacing the position
of an inclined crack from the middle of the rectangular specimen, in
addition to mode II loading, mixed mode I/III loading conditions are
created under anti-symmetric four-point bending. To examine the
applicability of the test set-up, the specimens made of PMMA
(Polymethyl-methacrylate) with three crack angles and three different
positions of crack with reference to the middle of the specimen are
tested. The experimental fracture loads are compared with the
theoretical predictions of the maximum principal stress fracture
criterion. There is a satisfactory consistency between the test and
theoretical results. Although the proposed test configuration has
limitations in applying the mixed modes of I/III and II/III, it is an
efficient test configuration easier and less expensive than other
configurations utilizing complex crack geometry or complicated loading
fixtures.