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Fifty years of crack path research
Last modified: 2013-03-15
Abstract
The complete solution of a crack propagation problem includes determination of the crack path. At the present state of the art the factors controlling the path taken by a propagating crack are not completely understood. In the last five decades there have been substantial advances in the understanding and prediction of both macroscopic and microscopic aspects of crack paths, largely through developments in fracture mechanics, and in the application of modern computers and microscopes. As examples, 6 crack path topics, all of which have a long history and are still of interest, are described briefly. These are: fatigue crack paths in aircraft structures, fractography, fracture toughness testing, mixed mode fatigue thresholds, crack path stability, and the transition from flat to slant crack propagation sometimes observed in thin sheets. The first five of these are illustrated by examples taken from the author’s experience. The papers presented at the International Conference on Crack Paths (CP 2009) show that understanding of crack paths is increasing.
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