Finite Element Analysis of a New Specimen for Conducting Fracture Tests under Mixed Mode I/III Loading

In this paper, a new disc-shaped specimen containing a tilted crack was proposed so as to conduct fracture tests under mixed mode I/III loading. This specimen was able to produce complete mode mixities, ranging from pure mode I to pure mode III. Many nite element analyses were performed to obtain crack parameters (i.e. stress intensity factors at the crack tip) and geometry factors. It was shown that the mode III was added to the mode I loading as the crack angle changed. Moreover, the crack length as well as position of the lower supports was varied to study loading type at the crack tip. Finally, applicability of the proposed specimen in experimental point of view was considered by performing fracture experiments on the asphalt concrete. The results showed that fracture strength of the asphalt concrete decreases as the proportion of mode III at the crack tip enhances.