An Experimental Method for Investigation of Damaged Zone Size in Orthotropic Materials

Fracture process in orthotropic materials, generally associates with fracture process zone (FPZ). This area contains a multitude of micro cracks which cause difficulties in analytical process of the region. One of the important parameters in fracture analytical process of orthotropic materials is evaluation of FPZ size. So far, several efforts have been made in order to determine the size of this region as analytical and numerical method, but not be verified with experimental results yet. In present research, an experimental method has been proposed for approximation of FPZ radius in orthotropic materials. The results compared with existing models and theories. Size of FPZ with reasonable accuracy estimated eventually.