Rudimentary nonlinear effects near crack edges in dynamic crack propagation (Q1901609)

The authors consider some effects of very rudimentary, localized nonlinear behaviour on dynamic, quasi-brittle fracture by introducing cohesive traction zones near the crack edges. To keep the results somewhat independent of a particular fracture criterion, the two-dimensional rapid crack propagation is treated. The formulation can accommodate either the nonlinear stress-strain or stress quadric case. Both of these cases impose a nonlinear boundary condition. Nevertheless, solution can be constructed analytically by standard methods of linear dynamics that, for each case, reduces the problem to an inhomogeneous nonlinear integral equation. Multiple solutions to the equations can be obtained analytically, giving rise to the question of uniqueness. In each case, however, only one candidate solution involves a uniform stress field and, in this first-step analysis, this solution is studied in more detail.