CRITICAL-VALUES OF STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR IN MODE II FRACTURE OF CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES

The problem of mode II of brittle matrix composites is considered. After a short discussion of the present knowledge and a review of test results, the importance of fracture toughness in mode II is stressed. The test results presented concern both modes of fracture, and obtained values of stress intensity factors KIc and KIIc are discussed, taking into consideration the results of observations on SEM micrographs. It is suggested that the fracture toughness of concretelike materials should be expressed as a combination of mode I and II characteristics. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.