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 a component or structure. In this paper, the general features associa ted with crack interaction and coalescence are presented, and the cond itions for coalescence in various forms are reviewed. A model has been developed based on the principles of mixed mode fracture mechanics, t o provide a rational explanation for the phenomenon of crack interacti on and to predict the coalescence conditions. The latter is found to a gree reasonably with the experimental observations.