EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF MIXED MODE I/II BRITTLE FRACTURE THAT USES ASYMMETRIC-SEMI CIRCULAR BEND SPECIMEN

Shridharmurthy H N, H K Srinivas, Shashidhara L C, Madhusudhan T

Abstract: Asymmetric semi circular bend specimen (ASCB) is employed in this work for investigating brittle fracture of mixed mode (mode ?/? combination). Epoxy resin is chosen as specimen material for brittle fracture study. By varying support locations (S2 location), pure mode?, pure mode? and different mode mixities are obtained. The specimens are prepared by molding epoxy resin with hardener. Later machining of specimens is done to achieve semicircular shape. Cracks are introduced by using tool end cutter machine. Crack growth directions and fracture load and crosshead movement are found out after carrying out mixed mode tests on Universal Testing Machine. The results are reported

Keywords: ASCB specimen; Mixed mode; Universal Testing Machine; fracture load; Displacement

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2016.0521001