CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

An Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Crack Propagation in Plastic and Metals

Citation

Beebe, Wayne Metcalf (1966) An Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Crack Propagation in Plastic and Metals. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/PC0B-4P13. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09262005-152806

Abstract

NOTE: Text or symbols not renderable in plain ASCII are indicated by [...]. Abstract is included in .pdf document. Crack propagation experiments were conducted in polyester resin sheets containing a central crack. Uniaxial tension loading at several loading rates was applied perpendicular to the crack direction. Two types of experiments were conducted: (1) High loading rate tests at 24°C and -45°C, with a constant loading rate to study the acceleration characteristics of cracks running in a glassy material, and (2) high temperature-low loading rate tests to study slow crack propagation when appreciable viscous dissipation could occur. During crack propagation, full frame photographs were taken of the photoviscoelastic isochromatic patterns and crack tip position at framing rates from 250 to 100,000 frames per second. The principal conclusions were as follows: 1. Even at loading rates exceeding [...] psi per sec, isochromatic patterns prior to crack propagation compare closely with static patterns. 2. Constant crack velocities were achieved in the high loading rate tests and it was found that the isochromatic patterns compare closely with the theoretical solution of Broberg. 3. During the crack acceleration period, the experimental data could not be represented adequately by the Berry elastic theory. 4. For the early phase of the slow (viscous) crack growth period, the crack length could be predicted using a simple theory proposed by Schapery and Williams. Several tests were conducted on silicon-iron metal sheets; it was concluded that the same testing technique can be applied to the study of crack growth in metals.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:(Aeronautics)
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Williams, Max L.
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 June 1966
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-09262005-152806
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09262005-152806
DOI:10.7907/PC0B-4P13
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:3786
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:28 Sep 2005
Last Modified:22 Feb 2024 23:19

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF (Beebe_wm_1966.pdf) - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

17MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page