Abstract
By introducing hierarchical patterns of load-parallel cuts into axially loaded brittle sheets, the resistance to propagation of mode-I cracks is very significantly enhanced. We demonstrate this effect by simulation of two-dimensional beam network models and experimentally by testing paper and polystyrene (PS) sheets that are sliced with a laser cutter to induce load-perpendicular hierarchical cut patterns. Samples endowed with nonhierarchical reference patterns of the same cut density and nonsliced sheets are considered for comparison. We demonstrate that hierarchical slicing can increase failure load, apparent fracture toughness, and work of fracture of notched paper and PS sheets by factors between 2 and 10.
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