Abstract
In this study, finite fracture mechanics procedures are employed to predict crack formation at geometrical and material discontinuities in brittle elastic structures. A hybrid failure model is utilised taking into account the stress field in the undamaged structure and the energy balance for the formation of cracks. Asymptotic formulations are compared to a direct numerical implementation. Experiments carried out on notched brittle specimens exhibiting various geometries and loading-modes are analysed by means of both approaches. Additionally, free-edge effects in composite laminates are analysed. It is found that the predictions from the model agree well with experimental results.
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