Tuesday  |  Phipps  |  03:00 PM–03:20 PM

#13719, Mixed-mode Fracture Interactions Along Centrally Cracked Weakened Planes

Mixed-mode fracture interactions contribute to many industrial applications, particularly in oil and natural gas extraction across shale regions. However, shale is a layered material that complicates the interactions of the mixed-mode fracture to respond as a weakened plane mixed-mode fracture. Furthermore, the nature of mixed-mode fracture along weakened planes is not fully understood. This study focuses on the investigation of mixed-mode fracture along weakened planes subjected to compressive stress wave loading. Specimens are prepared using rectangular polycarbonate plates through cut at 45◦ angles and glued back together using a polymeric adhesive. A central gap is left to create a starter pre-crack along this weakened plane. The specimens are dynamically loaded in a split-hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), and the full-field strains are monitored using digital image correlation (DIC). The mixed-mode stress intensity factor is determined using far-field applied loads from the SHPB measurements and the crack-tip opening displacements from DIC.

Kyle Messer   Oklahoma State University
Achyuth Thumbalam Guthai   Oklahoma State University
Ali Fahem   Oklahoma State University
Raman Singh   Oklahoma State University