Calculation of stress intensity factors for an interfacial notch of a bi-material joint using photoelasticity

In this paper, the stress intensity factors (SIFs) for an interfacial notch in a bi-material joint have been calculated using the experimental method of photoelasticity. A bi-material Brazilian disc specimen with a central interface notch was employed to determine the SIFs for different mode mixities. In this approach, SIFs were calculated experimentally for an Al/Polycarbonate bi-material Brazilian disc specimen and two different loading angles (i.e. modes I and II dominated loading conditions). The results of experimental approach were then compared with the numerical values of finite element method. Experimental results were in good consistency with the numerical values.