Author(s): Donald S. Carter
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Abstract: By considering the energy dissipated in the plastic region at the head of a crack under compressive loadings, the author derives the criterion for the quasi-brittle propagation of this elastic-plastic crack. It is shown that when an unstable fracture occurs, the ratio of brittle fracture stress to maximum ductile stress must be 0.6. This analysis both predicts and provides a theoretical explanation of the marked decrease in strength observed when polycrystalline ice undergoes a transition from ductile to brittle behaviour under increasing strain rates.
Year: 1972