Abstract
An experimental investigation of crack growth has been performed using plates of glass subjected to impulsive loading by means of small explosive charges. For comparison, some experiments were also performed with two “glass-like” polymers. The formation of the resultant crack patterns in glass was observed by the use of high-speed photography during the period following the detonation. Information has been obtained about the physical features of crack growth with regard to crack velocity, bifurcation, and the interaction between growing cracks and propagating stress waves. The existence of a terminal velocity of crack propagation is considered and, in particular, the degree to which crack bifurcation provides an explanation for this phenomenon is discussed.
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