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Numerical and experimental investigation of mixed‐mode fracture parameters on silicon nitride using the Brazilian disc test
Author(s) -
LEVESQUE G.,
ARAKERE N. K.,
MECHOLSKY J. J.,
GOPALAKRISHNAN K.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
fatigue and fracture of engineering materials and structures
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1460-2695
pISSN - 8756-758X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-2695.2010.01457.x
Subject(s) - materials science , silicon nitride , fracture toughness , indentation , composite material , strain energy release rate , finite element method , fracture (geology) , ceramic , stress intensity factor , mixed mode , fracture mechanics , structural engineering , engineering , layer (electronics)
Engineering applications of ceramics can often involve mixed‐mode conditions involving both tensile and shear loading. Mixed‐mode fracture toughness parameters are evaluated for applicability to ceramics using the Brazilian disc test on silicon nitride. Semi‐elliptical centrally located surface flaws are induced on the disc specimens using Vickers indentation and compression loaded to fracture with varying levels of mode mixity. The disc specimens are modelled via 3D finite element analysis and all three modes of stress intensity factors computed along the crack front, at failure load. We present a numerical and experimental investigation of four widely used mixed‐mode fracture criteria and conclude that the critical strain energy release rate criterion is simple to implement and effective for silicon nitride under mixed‐mode conditions.