Crack-Front Propagation During Three-Point-Bending Tests of Polymethyl-Methacrylate Beams Articles uri icon

publication date

  • February 2010

start page

  • 113

end page

  • 118

issue

  • 1

volume

  • 29

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0142-9418

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-2348

abstract

  • Crack-front evolution in polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) beams was measured during quasi-static three-point-bending tests performed on a universal testing machine. A high-speed camera was used to record the
    crack-front propagation process through the specimen thickness and to
    determine the instantaneous crack-length during the test, considering
    the effect of different initial notch lengths and loading-point
    displacement rates. The average steady crack-propagation speed was also
    calculated and correlated with the stored elastic energy, and these
    results have been compared with those reported by other authors for
    different test conditions. This experimental technique appears to be
    suitable to determine the influence of the test conditions on the
    crack-propagation speed of PMMA specimens.