Crack Tip Shielding in Ceramic and Cementitious Materials Subjected to Monotonic and Cyclic Loading

Abstract

Crack tip shielding due to crack-interface bridging in a cellulose fiber reinforced cement, plain mortar and a coarse-grained alumina is studied in terms of a novel compliance function φ-curve concept proposed recently by the authors. The simplicity and versatility of the approach are demonstrated through evaluation of the crack tip shielding influence under both monotonic and cyclic loading with compliance measurements. Crack-tip shielding degradation due to either successive saw-cutting or repetitive crack-face abrasion can also be quantitatively determined.