MECHANICS OF FRACTAL CRACKS IN BRITTLE SOLIDS

In this work we present a model of self-affine fractal-crack propagation in brittle solids. We have shown that the assumption of a fractal nature of the crack surface leads to a change in the asymptotic behaviour of stresses at the crack tip. Theoretical prediction of stress intensity coefficient behaviour coincides with experimental observations. The proposed model also applies to the description of crack propagation during compression in brittle solids. In this case our model evidently removes the discrepancy between classical theory, in which the cracks are modelled by a smooth mathematical cut, and experiments.