Crack propagation as a free boundary problem.
A sharp interface model of crack propagation as a phase transition process is discussed. We develop a multipole expansion technique to solve this free boundary problem numerically. We obtain steady state solutions with a self-consistently selected propagation velocity and shape of the crack, provided that elastodynamic effects are taken into account. Also, we find a saturation of the steady state crack velocity below the Rayleigh speed, tip blunting with increasing driving force, and a tip splitting instability above a critical driving force.
Pilipenko
D
D
Institut für Festkörperforschung, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
Spatschek
R
R
Brener
E A
EA
Müller-Krumbhaar
H
H