Experimental investigation of mixed-mode-I/II fracture in polymer mortars using digital image correlation method

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to investigate experimentally the effects of mixed-mode I/II loading on the fracture behavior of polymer mortars. Three point bend beam specimens with offcenter notch were used in plane-strain fracture toughness tests. Two approaches have been simultaneously used to determine the crack opening displacements. The crack mouth opening displacement was measured by means of a clip gauge, while the crack tip opening displacement was estimated through the Digital Image Correlation method. Fracture parameters, such as critical values of crack opening displacement, energy release rate and mixed-mode stress intensity factor were estimated. In addition, the values of crack mouth opening displacement and crack tip opening displacement were used to evaluate the rotational factor. Finally, the effect of sliding mode-II in fracture was not easily observed using clip gage, however this effect was noticed employing Digital Image Correlation method.

Keywords

• mixed-mode I/II
• fracture
• polymer mortar
• digital image correlation method