Author(s)

M.B. Bush

Abstract

A 'dual' boundary integral formulation is used to study the interaction between a crack and second phase particles in a discontinuously reinforced composite material. The crack trajectory is determined using a maximum energy release rate criterion. The method has been applied to a composite material composed of components having the elastic properties of Aluminium (matrix) and Silicon Carbide (reinforcement). In particular, we investigate the crack trajectory and kinetics as it interacts with a single particle and with particle clusters. It is found that although the energy release rate is affected by the particle(s) at relatively large distances, the crack trajectory is not substantially altered until the crack is very close to

Keywords