Abstract
The observed repulsive behavior of two initially collinear cracks growing towards each other and leading to a hook-shaped path questioned recently the validity of the principle of local symmetry within linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Our theoretical and numerical work solves this dilemma, providing the precise geometric conditions for the existence of this repulsive phase. We moreover reveal a multiscale behavior of the repulsive-attractive transition, explaining its ubiquitous occurrence, but also the difficulty to predict the final cracks’ paths.
- Received 13 February 2018
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.255501
© 2018 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Synopsis
Why Some Cracks Repel
Published 20 June 2018
A theoretical study of crack propagation provides an explanation for the observed repulsion between certain pairs of cracks on collision courses.
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