ON THE USE OF STRAIN-GAUGES IN DYNAMIC FRACTURE-MECHANICS

An experimental study is conducted to show the application of strain g ages in studies of dynamic fracture. In particular, strain gages have been used to evaluate the dynamic stress intensity factors in differen t specimen geometries in a variety of materials. A direct comparison o f the results obtained from strain gages is made with those obtained u sing dynamic photoelasticity. A detailed evaluation of the effect of t he position and orientation of the strain gage on the determination of the fracture parameters is also presented.