Dynamic crack initiation by Finite Fracture Mechanics

Abstract

The development of robust failure criteria suitable for predicting crack initiation under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions has always garnered attention in the scientific community due to its positive impact in the trustworthiness of the failure predictions for critical structural applications. In this sense, the present work applies the well-established Finite Fracture Mechanics framework to yield failure predictions depending on the loading rate. To achieve so yet keep the analysis simple, the analogy existent between the Incubation Time dynamic failure criterion and the static formulation of the Theory of Critical Distances is herein exploited to enable the application of Finite Fracture Mechanics under certain high loading rate conditions. In particular, this is achieved by coupling the concept of incubation time to its conventional formulation.