The Theoretical Measure of the Ductility of Failure for All Isotropic Materials in All States of Stress1

Abstract

The ductile/brittle failure theory for homogeneous and isotropic materials is extended to give a rational and mathematically rigorous measure for the ductility of failure. This new failure number methodology is completely developed and proved to be valid and general. It applies to all isotropic materials as subjected to any and all states of stress. Not only does the failure theory predict the safety or failure for any given stress state, it then projects the quantitative ductility level for the failure stress state. Many important examples are given with detailed interpretations of the results and with guides for general usage.