No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

A numerical analysis has been performed on a system involving a crack near a single particle with the objective of finding a general relation for the size and shape of the elastic, crack-particle interaction zone which necessarily exists near particles in two-phase composites. In order to quantify the zone boundaries, various crack-particle geometries were modelled and a single characterization parameter was developed. Results show that a zone in which the energy release rate and direction of crack propagation are significantly affected can be simply defined near a particle as a function of the crack-particle geometry and elastic mismatch. A wide range of elastic combinations was examined with the result that for any significant crack deflection to occur away from the particle the magnitude of the first Dundurs parameter, I~1, must be greater than ,,~ 0.2. Numerical results show good agreement with experimental fatigue crack path data.

No abstract