Numerical Investigation on Mixed Mode (I-II) Fracture Propagation of CCBD Specimens Under Confining Pressure

A new numerical method, verified by the analytical solution of the weight functions and experimental paths, is developed to evaluate the crack initiation and propagation generally in mixed mode (I-II). This numerical method combining the interaction integral method and the maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion is based on the finite element method of secondary development. The influence of combined confining pressure and diametric forces on crack propagation trajectories for CCBD specimens are studied. It is indicated that the crack propagation direction independent of the confining pressure keeps the same with the line of original crack as the loading angle is equal to 0 degrees. But when the loading angle is greater than 0 degrees, the curvature of the curve trajectory in the early stage of crack propagation increases with a larger confining pressure. Further, it is found that larger values of the loading angle and relative length will make the effect of confining pressure more significant at the early stage of crack growth.