A Micromechanical Damage Model of Ceramic for Shock Loading

ABSTRACT. A damage model applicable to ceramics subjected to dynamic compressive loading has been developed. The model was based on damage micromechanics and wing crack nucleation and growth. Tension wing cracks nucleated and propagated from the tip of the sliding cracks in the direction of maximum applied compression when the stress-intensity factor reached its critical value. The rate of crack growth was governed by a universal relation in dynamic fracture for high strain rate. The failure of the material was linked to a critical density of damage. The model predicted the failure or peak strength to increase with increasing shock loading. The results of the dynamic damage evolution model were compared with the experimental results and a good agreement was found