Subsonic and intersonic mode II crack propagation with a rate-dependent cohesive zone (Q1612661)

This paper is devoted to experimental and theoretical study of subsonic and intersonic mode II crack propagation. First, the relevant experimental observations are summarized briefly, and the conditions governing the attainment of intersonic crack speeds are examined. Experimental evidence is provided of intersonic mode II cracks along a weak plane joining two identical Homalite-100 plates with consideration of the experimental setup, the conditions for attaining straight-ahead intersonic crack growth, observed crack speed histories and the recorded isochromatic fringe patterns around an intersonically propagating mode II crack. Then, the singular solution for intersonic mode II cracks is revisited, and its predictions are examined on the base of experimental data, motivating the necessity of a cohesive zone model. Subsonic and intersonic mode II crack growth with a rate-dependent cohesive zone is analyzed. A cohesive law is chosen, wherein the cohesive shear traction is either a constant or varies linearly with the local sliding rate. The governing equations are solved, using a standard technique of analytic function theory. Complete decohesion is assumed to occur, when the crack tip sliding displacement reaches a material specific critical value. Closed form expressions are obtained for the near-tip fields. With a cohesive zone of finite size, it is found, that the dynamic energy release rate is finite through out the intersonic regime. Fracture energy is found to be a strong function of rate sensitivity, increasing with increasing value of the rate parameter. Investigation of the behavior of required far-fields loads indicates that the subsonic regime is inherently unstable for mode II cracks. However, with increasing rate sensitivity, stable mode II crack growth is possible at low subsonic speeds. The results of analysis of the stability for mode II crack growth at intersonic speeds explain the observed crack speed behavior in the experiments. Isochromatic fringe patterns are generated, using the crack tip fields around an intersonic mode II crack with a rate-dependent cohesive rate. They agree with the experimentally recorded patterns, especially close to the crack tip. The Mach waves are found to be of finite width, the isochromatic fringe pattern within which is qualitatively similar to that observed in the experiments.