SEDL / STP / STP668-EB / STP35834S

Initial Experimental Investigation of Tearing Instability Theory

Paris, PC
Professor of mechanics, senior research associate, and graduate research assistants, Washington University, St. Louis,

Tada, H
Professor of mechanics, senior research associate, and graduate research assistants, Washington University, St. Louis,

Ernst, H
Professor of mechanics, senior research associate, and graduate research assistants, Washington University, St. Louis,

Zahoor, A
Professor of mechanics, senior research associate, and graduate research assistants, Washington University, St. Louis,

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1979

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Abstract

An initial experimental investigation was conducted to confirm the theory of tearing instability developed in previous work. A simple testing program was selected which employed 3-point bend specimens with various crack size to specimen depth ratios and an additional spring bar to easily adjust effective specimen span (or loading system compliance).

All stable-unstable behaviors observed in the tests are in good agreement with those predicted by the theory. Thus the present study demonstrates the appropriateness of the tearing instability analysis, presenting guidelines for its further development.