California Institute of Technology

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Chun-Jen Hsueh

Kaushik Bhattacharya

Guruswami Ravichandran

Md Zubaer Hossain

Blaise Aurélien Bourdin

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention determine the effective toughness of a given material, and also implement materials possessing improved effective toughness values. In one embodiment, a method of determining the effective toughness of a material includes: causing a crack to propagate through the material; where the relative constant velocity and the relative overall direction are prescribed and maintained for the duration of the propagation of the crack through the material; measuring the energy release rate of the crack as it propagates through the material; and defining the effective toughness of the material as the maximum value of the measured energy release rate.

Systems and methods for determining the effective toughness of a material and for implementing materials possessing improved effective toughness characteristics

Methods for measuring the effective fracture toughness in a material are described. A rail and roller system are used to apply a gradual force to a specimen. The time-dependent force creates a steady fracture development that allows a camera to record the progressive fracture in the material. Mathematical methods can then be used to analyze the fracture progression and determine the effective fracture toughness.

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Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Chun-Jen Hsueh