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arXiv · 1209.0169

Dynamic stability of crack fronts: Out-of-plane corrugations

Mokhtar Adda-Bedia·Rodrigo E. Arias·Eran Bouchbinder·Eytan Katzav
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Abstract

The dynamics and stability of brittle cracks are not yet fully understood. Here we use the Willis-Movchan 3D linear perturbation formalism [J. Mech. Phys. Solids {\bf 45}, 591 (1997)] to study the out-of-plane stability of planar crack fronts in the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics. We discuss a minimal scenario in which linearly unstable crack front corrugations might emerge above a critical front propagation speed. We calculate this speed as a function of Poisson's ratio and show that corrugations propagate along the crack front at nearly the Rayleigh wave-speed. Finally, we hypothesize about a possible relation between such corrugations and the long-standing problem of crack branching.

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Mokhtar Adda-Bedia, Rodrigo E. Arias, Eran Bouchbinder, Eytan Katzav. 2012-09-02. Dynamic stability of crack fronts: Out-of-plane corrugations. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.110.014302

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