Characterization of timber fracture using the Digital Image Correlation technique and Finite Element Method

This paper focuses on a hybrid experimental and numerical approach to characterize both the energy and mechanical state in the vicinity of the crack tip within an orthotropic wood material. Optimization of the displacement field obtained by Digital Image Correlation techniques, enables determining the kinematic state of crack lips through the crack relative displacement factor. In parallel, a Finite Element discretization is performed to allow calculating stress intensity factors. A coupling between these two approaches is presented for the purpose of defining the energy release rate. The algorithm derived is then illustrated through an experimental test based on an opening mode configuration for a Douglas specimen.