LAUSR

A numerical study of crack front segmentation under mode I + III loading is proposed. Facets initiation ahead of a parent crack is predicted through a tridimensional application of the coupled criterion. Crack initiation shape, orientation and spacing are determined for any mode mixity ratio by coupling a stress and an energy criterion using matched asymptotic expansions. The stress and the energy conditions are computed through a 3D finite element modeling of a periodic network of facets ahead of the parent crack. The initiation shape, loading and spacing of facets depend on the blunted parent crack tip radius. A good estimate of facet orientations is obtained based on the direction of maximum tensile stress. The facet shapes, determined using the stress isocontours, are qualitatively similar to those observed experimentally. The order of magnitude of numerical predictions of facets spacing is very close to experimental measurements.