Unstable Crack Propagation Research Articles

Damage behavior and toughening mechanism of SiCf/SiC-Ti3SiC2 composites: A combination of digital image correlation and acoustic emission

Matrix modification is an effective method to improve the mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites, while the elucidation of corresponding damage mechanism is essential for the design and engineering application of composites. In this work, Ti3SiC2 particles were introduced into SiC matrix to fabricate Ti3SiC2 modified SiCf/SiC (SiCf/SiC-Ti3SiC2) composites by a hybrid technique of slurry suspension impregnation combined with polymer infiltration and pyrolysis. Compared with SiCf/SiC composites, the flexural strength and modulus of SiCf/SiC-Ti3SiC2 composites were increased by 17.8 % and 61.0 %, respectively. The three-point flexural damage behavior and failure mechanism of composites were systematically investigated and compared by the combination of digital image correlation and acoustic emission techniques. Based on the collaborative analysis of in-situ damage process, matrix micro-zone toughness and fracture morphology, the modification effect and toughening mechanism of Ti3SiC2 were revealed. The improved mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC-Ti3SiC2 composite could be ascribed to the more sufficient matrix cracking before composite failure and the increased matrix fracture energy by microcrack deflection. After matrix modification, the failure mechanism was dominated by the gradual propagation and growth of microcracks until the critical crack size, instead of the fast and unstable propagation of main crack.

Temperature dependence of the deformation behavior and mechanical properties of a Fe–Mn–Al–C low-density steel for cryogenic application

The temperature dependence of the deformation behavior and mechanical properties of a Fe–20Mn–6Al-0.6C-0.15Si austenitic low-density steel was studied by tensile test and Charpy impact test at −196 °C, −77 °C and room temperature (RT), followed by microstructure analyses. The results indicate that the decreased tensile temperature, which is corresponding to reduced stacking fault energy (SFE), promotes the planar glide of dislocations. This led to larger fraction of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) at lower tensile temperature. Consequently, both the tensile strength and elongation were improved as temperature decreased. At lower impact test temperature, the load and energy of crack initiation were larger, indicating a higher resistance to crack initiation. However, the transition from stable to unstable crack propagation occurred more rapidly at lower temperature, resulting in lower crack propagation energy and reduced resistance to crack propagation. This is because less region experienced planar glide. Due to the rapid unstable crack propagation, the Charpy absorbed energy at −196 °C was the lowest. The smaller fracture surface area, larger fibrous zone and more obvious ductile fracture characteristics in radial zone suggest that the toughness is better at higher temperature. Additionally, the presence of secondary cracks at RT delayed fracture, therefore benefitting toughness.

Acoustic Emission characteristics and damage evolution of Concrete-Encased CFST columns under compressive load

Concrete-Encased Concrete Filled Steel Tubular (CE-CFST) is usually served as a compression member in engineering structures due to its high performance. It is crucial to reveal its compressive failure mechanism and the damage evolution law. This study used Acoustic Emission (AE) technology to monitor the compressive failure behavior of seven groups of CE-CFST columns with different diameter-width ratio, slenderness ratio and eccentricity, and then the AE signal characteristics and structural damage evolution law were discussed. Results show that the curve of AE characteristics can be used for effectively identifying the damage stages of CE-CFST structures. The failure process can be divided into six stages: initial compaction, stable growth of micro cracks, unstable propagation of macro cracks, collapsing of the outer RC structure, bulging of the core CFST structure and overall failure. The AE characteristic parameters, RA-AF value and b value are closely related to stress and crack of structure, and can be used for early warning of structural failure during the stage of unstable crack propagation. Particularly, the failure of outer concrete can be judged as b value drops to the minimum. The current study is of great significance for understanding the damage evolution process and achieving damage assessment of CE-CFST structures.

Microwave-assisted TBM cutter for efficient hard rock fracturing in high stress environments

Elucidating the effects and fundamental mechanisms of microwave-assisted mechanical excavation under high initial stress conditions is of paramount importance for enhancing the efficiency of deep resource extraction. In this study, indentation experiments were conducted on microwave-damaged rock under initial stress conditions using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the first time. By integrating acoustic emission, digital image correlation, and the discrete element method, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted effects of microwave irradiation and initial stress on rock fracturing. The rock-breaking efficiency was evaluated based on the volume of broken rock and the energy consumption. The indentation failure of the sample can be divided into three stages: microfracture closure, elastic deformation, and unstable crack propagation. The microwave irradiation reduced the peak load during the indentation process and simultaneously reduced the brittleness of the specimen. The experimental and simulation results jointly demonstrated the existence of an initial stress threshold in the rock fracturing process. When the initial stress is below the threshold, it suppresses the extension of rock fractures, which is unfavorable for rock fragmentation. When the initial stress exceeds the threshold, stress-induced rock failure occurs, which promotes rock fragmentation. A notable observation is that microwave irradiation alters the initial stress threshold of the rock, where a higher microwave power correlates with a lower initial stress threshold. This indicates that the optimal parameters for microwave equipment must be reconsidered when the initial stress changes. Methods for optimizing rock breakage at initial stress were suggested and examined.

Fracture Toughness, Radiation Hardness, and Processibility of Polymers for Superconducting Magnets.

High fracture toughness at cryogenic temperature and radiation hardness can be conflicting requirements for the resins for the impregnation of superconducting magnet coils. The fracture toughness of different epoxy-resin systems at room temperature (RT) and at 77 K was measured, and their toughness was compared with that determined for a polyurethane, polycarbonate (PC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Among the epoxy resins tested in this study, the MY750 system has the highest 77 K fracture toughness of KIC = 4.6 MPa√m, which is comparable to the KIC of PMMA, which also exhibits linear elastic behaviour and unstable crack propagation. The polyurethane system tested has a much higher 77 K toughness than the epoxy resins, approaching the toughness of PC, which is known as one of the toughest polymer materials. CTD101K is the least performing in terms of fracture toughness. Despite this, it is used for the impregnation of large Nb3Sn coils for its good processing capabilities and relatively high radiation resistance. In this study, the fracture toughness of CTD101K was improved by adding the polyglycol flexibiliser Araldite DY040 as a fourth component. The different epoxy-resin systems were exposed to proton and gamma doses up to 38 MGy, and it was found that adding the DY040 flexibiliser to the CTD101K system did not significantly change the irradiation-induced ageing behaviour. The viscosity evolution of the uncured resin mix is not significantly changed when adding the DY040 flexibiliser, and at the processing temperature of 60 °C, the viscosity remains below 200 cP for more than 24 h. Therefore, the new resin referred to as POLAB Mix is now used for the impregnation of superconducting magnet coils.

Failure precursors recognition method for loading coal and rock using the fracture texture features of infrared thermal images

Early warning of the catastrophic failure of rocks is a challenging rock mechanics problem. This article proposed a failure precursor recognition method based on infrared thermal image texture features for coal and rock. Based on spatiotemporal background noise correction for infrared thermal images, a new thermal image parameter of loading coal and rock, Contrast Texture Feature Values (CTFV), is proposed to extract subtle changes in the thermal image caused by crack evolution based on the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). The cumulative Crack Texture Thermal Image (CTTI) is reconstructed using CTFV, which can accurately reflect the spatial evolution process of loading coal and rock cracks. The CTFV remains at 0 in the early stage of loading and gradually increases with stress increase at the unstable crack propagation stage, which can serve as a reference for precursor warning of coal and rock failure. For shale, sandstone, and limestone, the precursor of CTFV at grayscale levels of 7, 8, and 9, can be classified into high failure risk, medium failure risk, and low failure risk, respectively. For coal samples, the CTFV is only applicable for the critical warning of high failure risk when the grayscale level is 7. Then, an adaptive identification method for failure precursors based on the sliding window probability density estimation method is proposed. The research results can enhance the reliability of IR monitoring technology for rock failure and instability early warning and can provide support for the prevention and control of rock engineering and geological disasters.

Pre-notch and pre-crack size effects on T-peel fracture behaviors of SAC305 solder joints

T-peel test of ductile adhesive is always an interesting and important topic in peeling mechanics and fracture mechanics. In this paper, the pre-notch and pre-crack effect on the T-peel test with a ductile adhesive layer is studied. Based on the experimental test of SAC 305 adhesive and copper adherent T-peel tests, it is found that the peak loads, fracture toughness, resistance curve, and adhesive toughness are sensitive to pre-crack or pre-notch lengths. Short pre-notch or pre-crack trigger unsteady state debonding frequently, and deep pre-notch or pre-crack conditions achieve steady state debonding more easily. Different data reduction schemes such as simple beam theory (SBT), corrected beam theory (CBT), and compliance-based beam method (CBBM) will lead to variations of fracture toughness extractions for T-peel tests. Trapezoidal shape cohesive zone model (CZM) is found to be easier matching T-peel tests conducted in this paper. However, T-peel samples with shorter pre-notch or pre-crack lengths are hard to simulate with the CZM method due to the unstable crack propagation. The reasons, which may lead to the discrepancy between pre-notch and pre-crack T-peel samples, are also presented and discussed. The selection of different pre-notch or pre-crack lengths is a very important factor that needs to be considered in the T-peel test.

Experimental Study on Energy Evolution and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Fractured Sandstone under Cyclic Loading and Unloading

To investigate the dynamic response of fractured rock under cyclic loading and unloading, a WHY-300/10 microcomputer-controlled electro-hydraulic servo universal testing machine was used to conduct uniaxial cyclic loading and unloading tests. Simultaneously, acoustic emission (AE) and a CCD high-speed camera were employed to monitor the fracturing characteristics of sandstone. The mechanical properties, energy evolution, AE characteristics, and deformation of 45° sandstone were analyzed. The results indicate that as the load cycle level increases, both the elastic modulus and deformation modulus exhibit a “parabolic” increase, with a rapid rise initially and a slower rate of increase later. The damping ratio generally shows a decreasing trend but tends to rise near the peak load. The total energy, elastic energy, dissipated energy, damping energy, and damage energy all follow exponential function increases with the load level. The b-value fluctuates significantly during the stable crack propagation phase, unstable crack propagation phase, and peak phase. When the FR (Felicity ratio > 1), the rock is relatively stable; when the FR (Felicity ratio < 1), the rock gradually extends towards an unstable state. The Felicity ratio can be used as a predictive tool for the precursors of rock failure. Shear fractures dominate during the compaction and peak phases, while tensile fractures dominate during the crack propagation phase, ultimately leading to a failure characterized by tensile fracture. High-speed camera observations revealed that deformation first occurs at the tips of the prefabricated cracks and gradually spreads and deflects toward the ends of the sandstone. This study provides theoretical support for exploring the mechanical behavior and mechanisms of fractured rock under cyclic loading and unloading, and it has significant practical implications.

Failure-mode scale transitions in RC and PC beams

Current design Standards for reinforced concrete beams prescribe to respect a minimum, ρmin, and a maximum, ρmax, reinforcement ratio in the design of structures. Below ρmin a brittle failure due to unstable crack propagation is expected. On the other hand, for ρ > ρmax a brittle failure due to concrete crushing is obtained. In this framework, a reinforced concrete element with ρmin < ρ < ρmax presents yielded steel at Ultimate Limite State (ULS) with a stable behaviour and no catastrophic loss of bearing capacity. Design Standards define ρmin and ρmax limits on the basis of the Bernoulli’s hypothesis of plane sections, and completely disregard size-scale effects. Within the present paper, Dimensional Analysis is used to determine the Brittleness Numbers that govern the behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) as well as of prestressed reinforced concrete (PC) beams. Therefore, parametric analyses carried out by means of the Cohesive/Overlapping Crack Model (COCM) are used to study the ductile-to-brittle transitions in RC and PC beams, and to highlight the size-scale dependency of the two above-mentioned reinforcement limits.

Study on creep characteristics of granite of deep tunnel affected by joint orientation

Joints are an important part of rock masses and the spatial relationship between joint orientation and in situ stress (or tunnel axis) has a significant impact on the deformation, strength, and failure behavior of the surrounding rock. To study the influence of joint orientation on creep characteristics of deep hard rock, the true triaxial creep tests were performed in the laboratory on natural jointed granite under different loading angles ω (defined as the angle between the strike of the joint plane and σ2-direction) conditions. The test results show that ω has a significant effect on the time-dependent deformation and failure characteristics of the jointed rock. As ω increases, there is a decrease in creep deformation, steady creep rate in the σ3-direction, and value of the DI index (used to evaluate the difference in the time-dependent deformation in the σ2- and σ3-directions). Stress-structure-controlled failure (sliding along the joint plane) occurs when ω ≤ 30°. However, when ω > 30°, the failure of the jointed granite is not affected by joint and stress-controlled failure occurs. The stress-structure-controlled time-dependent failure evolution enters a stage that is dominated by shear cracks earlier than stress-controlled failure according to AE results. In addition, the time-dependent failure went through stages of microcracks initiation and interaction, stable crack growth and unstable crack propagation. And when the time-dependent failure evolution enters the unstable crack propagation stage, the nature of the cracks changed from tensile-dominated to shear-dominated.

Fatigue crack growth properties of PMMA material used in underwater transparent structures

ABSTRACT Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is an ideal material used in underwater transparent structures such as submersible windows and the fully-transparent pressure chamber of the sightseeing submersibles. The failure of PMMA structures usually come from small crack-like defects. In this paper, the fatigue crack growth experiments were carried out on PMMA materials with different thicknesses (B = 3, 6, 12 mm) and stress ratios (R = 0.1, 0.3) as well as plane strain fracture toughness test for unstable crack propagation conditions. Thickness effect and dwell time effect are experimentally investigated in addition to load ratio effect. The applicability of an improved crack growth rate model on PMMA material is validated by test results. The application of this model for prediction of crack growth rates can greatly save experimental time under different working conditions and can be applied in fatigue assessment of full-transparent structures under random loading.

On the (lack of) representativeness of quasi-static variational fracture models for unstable crack propagation

The present work is devoted to prove that unstable crack propagation events do not comply with quasi-static hypotheses and thus should be modelled by dynamic approaches. Comprehensive supporting evidence is provided on the basis of three different analyses conducted on multi-ligament unstable fracture conditions, including a simplified Spring-Mass model, detailed quasi-static and dynamic Phase Field fracture models, and bespoke experiments with 3D printed specimens. The obtained results unequivocally show that neglecting the inertial effects can lead to unsafe predictions in the presence of energetic barriers for the development of fracture. Likewise, quasi-static Phase Field fracture models are proven to yield crack patterns that disagree with the experimental evidence because they overlook the progressive diffusion of the mechanical information within the continuum. Moreover, the inability of quasi-static approaches to follow unstable crack propagation is shown to weaken the crucial irreversibility condition of fracture. Overall, these experimentally backed insights should be gravely reckoned with, for they are not exclusive to Phase Field fracture models but common to (almost) any variational approach to fracture, inter alia Cohesive Zone Models or Continuum Damage Mechanics.

Failure modes and mechanical properties of double-layer rock-like composite specimens with a single fissure under triaxial compression

Introduction: Geotechnical engineering disasters often result from instability failures in layered and heterogeneous fissured rock masses. However, the key mechanisms governing mechanical properties and crack propagation in these rock masses remain unclear.Methods: This study presents triaxial compression tests on double-layer rock-like specimens composed of limestone and sandstone materials, containing a single fissure, to investigate the effects of fissure angles and positions on the strength and failure modes of these double-layer specimens under varying confining pressure.Results and Discussion: The experimental results reveal that the intact composite rock approaches the strength of sandstone but is deformation-limited by limestone. Under constant confining pressure (σ3 = 5 MPa), the fissure angle affects initial crack initiation, and fissure position dictates the failure mode and extent, while increased confining pressure induces overall shear failure in the composite rock, with the failure mode being predominantly influenced by confining pressure. Concerning mechanical deformation, augmenting the fissure angle and confining pressure substantially enhances the elasticity and ductility of the composite rock. Regarding volumetric deformation, the extent of volume shrinkage in the composite rock is influenced by both fissure angle and confining pressure, while volume expansion is influenced by fissure position. Under uniaxial compression, fissured composite rock exhibits the most unstable crack propagation, resulting in early failure. Triaxial compression shows that a higher fissure angle stabilizes crack propagation while confining pressure variation affects stability only when the fissure is in limestone. When the fissure is in sandstone, crack propagation stability remains at its highest. Furthermore, an increase in fissure angle, higher confining pressure, and changes in fissure position from sandstone through the contact interface to limestone contribute to an increasing trend in the peak strength and elastic modulus of the composite rock. Fissure-induced rock degradation is primarily influenced by the fissure angle. These findings are significant for guiding engineering construction and design, providing valuable insights to geotechnical engineers, and enhancing safety in rock engineering projects.

Prediction of rock loading stages using average infrared radiation temperature under shear and uniaxial loading

Accurately predicting geologically rock loading phases under varying water levels is crucial to prevent rock engineering operations from severe geological hazards. Acoustic emission (AE) traditionally determines these phases, but machinery in rock projects can disrupt AE sensors, leading to imprecise data and potential accidents. To address this, our study tested a novel approaches using AE, Average Infrared Radiation Temperature (AIRT), Critical Slow Down Theory (CSDT), and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to predict rock loading phases accurately under different water conditions. The research findings are: (1) AE analysis divides the stress–strain curve into four phases: crack closure, elastic deformation, and stable and unstable crack propagations. Each phase exhibits distinct characteristics in terms of AE signal behavior. (2) AIRT analysis reveals specific patterns during different loading phases. The AIRT and cumulative AIRT have distinct trends in different phases. (3) The AIRT sequence's fractal dimension shows distinct trends during loading phases: it initially rises during the elastic phase and then declines. Fractal dimensions for crack closure, elastic deformation, and stable crack propagation increase, while that for unstable crack propagation decreases with water content. 4) The stress–strain curve phases were successfully predicted by using AIRT and CSDT, demonstrating a strong correlation with actual stress levels. Notably, this marks the first-time prediction of phases through non-destructive tests (IR and CSDT), where CSDT fluctuations at each stage can serve as early indicators of rock failure.5) The proposed CNNR model achieves high accuracy (98%) in predicting different phases of the stress curve using AIRT. It particularly performs well in the elastic deformation and stable crack propagation phases, with only a few instances of false negative predictions. The model shows promising potential for effective and safe geological projects, especially under varying water conditions. The findings contribute to the understanding of rock behavior and offer insights for the design of safer and more efficient rock engineering projects.

Effect of dendritic structure and secondary phases on the fatigue behavior of ERNiCrMo-3 weld metal

The effect of dendritic structure and secondary phases on the fatigue crack propagation mechanism of ERNiCrMo-3 weld metal was investigated. Element segregation in the weld metal induced severe lattice distortion in the interdendritic region, creating substantial variations in mechanical properties between the dendrite core and interdendritic region. This disparity resulted in an unstable crack propagation rate. The limited plastic deformation capacity of the interdendritic region caused a contraction in the local plastic deformation zone at the crack tip, increasing stress concentration and accelerating crack propagation. The fatigue crack in the interdendritic regions exhibited a rate of approximately 2.6 μm/cycle, surpassing the 1.5 μm/cycle observed in the dendrite cores. Meanwhile, element segregation promoted the precipitation of numerous Laves phases in the interdendritic regions. With increasing stress, micro-voids formed by broken Laves phases served as rapid channels for crack propagation. Post-weld heat treatment weakened the non-uniformity of the microstructure. The fatigue crack propagated at a rate of about 1.2 μm/cycle. Furthermore, the dissolution of Laves phases and the precipitation of γ″ enhanced the fatigue performance of the weld metal. Under equivalent stress levels, the fatigue life of post-weld heat-treated weld metal increased by approximately 1.2 times compared to that of as-welded metal.

Constitutive response and failure progression in digitally fabricated (3D printed) concrete under compression and their dependence on print layer height

Among the several geometry and process-related characteristics that determine the ultimate product quality of 3D printed concrete, one that has gained considerable importance is the height/thickness of the individual layers. Layer height dictates the number of interlayer interfaces, and influences the properties of the layer and the interfaces (both interlayer and inter-filament), for a given mixture and printer characteristics. This paper examines the influence of layer height on the constitutive response and failure of 3D printed concrete specimens under compression, investigated along the direction of layer build-up (or perpendicular to the layer interfaces), which is the dominant plane of loading in 3D printed walls and columns. Plain and steel fiber-reinforced wall elements with two different layer heights (7.5 mm and 15 mm) are printed, from which cylindrical and prismatic specimens are extracted and tested. The uniaxial compressive strength is seen to decrease with increasing layer height. The constitutive relationships of the specimens with different layer heights, along with volumetric strains, enable the extraction of crack initiation stress and unstable crack propagation stress, which are influenced by layer height and the presence of fiber reinforcement. The unstable crack propagation stress is lower than the peak stress, and it decreases with increasing layer height. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to demonstrate the dominant effect of inter-filament interfaces on the crack propagation response and resultant failure.

Influence of nearby fiber on fiber–matrix debonding: Coupled Criterion prediction and debonding shape determination

Fiber–matrix interface debonding in two-fiber specimens under remote tensile loading is studied both experimentally and numerically by means of a coupled stress and energy criterion. Depending on its relative position, the neighboring fiber induces a perturbation of both stress and energy fields at the reference fiber interface which results in asymmetrical debonding initiation and propagation. The determination of the debonding initiation and propagation shape is addressed based on either (i) stress isocontours, (ii) energy isocontours or (iii) the Coupled Criterion (CC). It was found that the debonding initiation configuration can be determined based on stress (respectively energy) isocontours for small (respectively large) enough interface brittleness number. For intermediate brittleness number, the debonding initiation configuration cannot be obtained using neither the stress nor the energy isocontours, but requires a coupling of both aspects. Despite different initiation debonding configurations, the corresponding initiation remote stresses do not differ much, which results in similar debonding configurations after unstable crack propagation following initiation.

Experimental study on the mechanical behavior of different lithologic shales in Qingshankou group under in-situ geological conditions

To investigate the mechanical behavior of shale under in-situ geological conditions, a novel experimental methodology called in-situ stress restoration triaxial compression (ISRTC) was proposed for testing shale under in-situ geostress. Then the ISRTC and conventional triaxial compression (CTC) tests were conducted on four different lithological shale core samples from the Qingshankou Formation reservoir to explore the differences in shale mechanical behavior between conventional laboratory conditions and in-situ geostress conditions. Compared to CTC tests, shale samples subjected to ISRTC tests demonstrated a noteworthy decrease in pre-peak elastic deformation, alongside an intensified and increased nonlinear deformation. These findings indicated that in-situ geostress restoration led to reduced brittleness and increased ductility of shale. Moreover, shale cores in the ISRTC test showed higher peak strength, residual strength, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio compared to CTC tests. The elastic energy, dissipative energy, and total energy in ISRTC tests were also greater than those in CTC tests. Furthermore, in-situ geostress restoration promoted numerous microcracks in shale, resulting in the release of more energy during failure, leading to a more complex failure mode. In CTC tests, shale damage concentrated in the stage of unstable crack propagation, whereas in ISRTC tests, the damage developed progressively throughout the entire loading stage. Additionally, the abundance of hard-phase minerals and scarcity of weak-phase minerals in shale had a smaller influence of in-situ stress restoration on peak strength and residual strength but a greater influence on the elastic modulus. This study provides valuable insights into the in-situ mechanical characteristics of different lithologies of Gulong shale in the Qingshankou group and serves as a scientific basis for the efficient development of shale oil.

Mode I fracture of thick adhesively bonded GFRP composite joints for wind turbine rotor blades

This article investigates the effects of voids, joint geometry, and test conditions on the quasi-static Mode I fracture performance of thick adhesive Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) joints such as those prevailing in wind industry and shipbuilding. The specimens were made by glass fiber reinforced epoxy adherend and SikaPower®-830 epoxy adhesive in the cm thickness range. Side-grooved shape guided the crack propagation direction and assisted stable propagation, while lower cross-head displacement rates reduced the occurrence of unstable crack propagation and prevented crack deflection. Porosities, which are inevitable due to the high viscosity of the adhesive, led to unstable propagation and promoted crack path deviations. They could also decrease the apparent fracture energy release rate (SERR) since the crack surface is reduced. In conclusion, grooved DCB joints with low void content tested at low displacement rates showed stable crack propagation without significant crack path deviation. This method enables comparison with future adhesive formulations and the refinement of full-scale blade models.

Stress–strain relationships and yielding of metal-organic framework monoliths

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a versatile material platform for a wide range of applications. However, the development of practical devices is constrained by their inherently low mechanical stability. The synthesis of MOFs in a monolithic morphology represents a viable way for the transition of these materials from laboratory research to real-world applications. For the design of MOF-based devices, the mechanical characterization of such materials cannot be overlooked. In this regard, stress-strain relationships represent the most valuable tool for assessing the mechanical response of materials. Here, we use flat punch nanoindentation, micropillar compression and Raman microspectroscopy to investigate the stress-strain behaviour of MOF monoliths. A pseudo-plastic flow is observed under indentation, where the confining pressure prevents unstable crack propagation. Material flow is accommodated by grain boundary sliding, with occasional stepwise cracking to accommodate excessive stress building up. Micropillar compression reveals a brittle failure of ZIF-8, while plastic flow is observed for MIL-68.