Understanding the mechanical behavior of jointed-rock masses is of critical importance to designing and predicting the performance of a potential nuclear waste repositiry. To this end we have studied the frictional sliding between simulated rock joints using phase shifting moirk interferometry. Preliminary calibration models were made from stacks of Lexan plates that were sand-blasted to provide a uniform frictional interface. Load was applied monotonically and phase shifted moird fringe patterns were recorded at three different load states. Plots of slip along the interfaces for the model are presented to demonstrate the ability of the photomechanics technique to provide precise measurements of in-plane displacement, and ultimately the slip between the plates.

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Detailed three-dimensional nonlinear finite element (FE) analyses and experimental moire studies are performed on a plate containing a moderately deep part-through surface crack to establish limits of HRR-dominance. The plate is subjected to predominantly far-field tensile loading. The material under investigation is ASTM A710 steel, which was constitutively modeled by large deformation J2 flow theory of plasticity. The FE mesh was carefully constructed to resolve both crack front fields (such as J-integral and CTOD) and global fields (such as surface displacements, strains). By comparing the J-integral and CTOD results with an earlier HRR-dominance study using (small strain) deformation theory of plasticity, we found little effect of the different formulations on the crack front fields. The global deformation fields from the numerical simulation are in good agreement with our experimental results. The eventual loss of HRR-dominance is intimately related to the interaction of the global plastic flow fields with those of the crack front.

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Strain development in several notched ceramic‐matrix composites (CMCs) has been monitored over a broad range of load. This was achieved by using phase‐shifting moire interferometry, which provides a map of the surface strains. A sequence of fringe patterns was used to chart the evolution of strain redistribution as a function of load. The ensuing strains were related to the micromechanical damage mechanisms. Stress concentrations were estimated from the strains by using stress/strain curves. Implications for the notch sensitivity of CMCs are discussed.