title: Geometric control of failure behavior in perforated sheets.
abstract: Adding perforations to a continuum sheet allows new modes of deformation, and thus modifies its elastic behavior. The failure behavior of such a perforated sheet is explored, using a model experimental system: a material containing a one-dimensional array of rectangular holes. In this model system, a transition in failure mode occurs as the spacing and aspect ratio of the holes are varied: rapid failure via a running crack is completely replaced by quasistatic failure, which proceeds via the breaking of struts at random positions in the array of holes. I demonstrate that this transition can be connected to the loss of stress enhancement, which occurs as the material geometry is modified.
authors.affiliation: The James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Driscoll