Cracks on Mixed Mode loading – Theories, experiments, simulations

Mixed Mode loading of cracks occurs if due to the loading of the component or the orientation of the crack the fundamental modes of crack loading (Mode I, Mode II, Mode III) occasionally or permanently appear in combination. Within this paper an overview is given about theories, experiments and simulations of cracks and crack growth under Mixed Mode loading. First some concepts and basic theories are described for two dimensional and three-dimensional crack Mixed Mode loading situations. Furthermore several Mixed Mode fracture specimens, especially the CTS-, AFM- and the CTSR specimen and loading devices are presented delivering new experimental findings for unstable and stable crack growth. The theoretically and experimentally results are compared with respect of the practical use of the described concepts and theories. Finally the paper presents crack growth simulations, especially with the three-dimensional program ADAPCRACK3D.