CRACK INTERACTION, COALESCENCE AND MIXED-MODE FRACTURE-MECHANICS

Multiple cracks are often observed in engineering structures; and thei r interaction and coalescence may significantly affect the lifetime of component or structure. In this paper, the general features associate d with crack interaction and coalescence are presented, and the condit ions for coalescence in various forms are reviewed. A model has been d eveloped based on the principles of mixed mode fracture mechanics, to provide a rational explanation for the phenomenon of crack interaction and to predict the coalescence conditions. The latter is found to agr ee reasonably with the experimental observations.