On the use of different diametral compression cracked disc shape specimens for introducing mode III deformation

Due to the difficulties of applying torsional loads to introduce mode III effects, there are few studies for investigating mixed mode I/III fracture in brittle materials. In this paper using three novel single or double edge-cracked diametral compression disc shape specimens, complete ranges of mixed mode I/III are introduced. Fracture factors of the compressed disc specimens with different pre-notch shapes are determined numerically for a wide range of notch depth and notch inclination angles. The ability of specimens was studied using mixed mode I/III fracture experiments on gypsum. Different fracture envelopes were obtained for the gypsum demonstrating the influence of disc geometry and notch type on mixed mode I/III behavior. For all samples, mode III fracture toughness (K-IIIc) was approximately 1.2 to 1.8 times the corresponding value of K-Ic. Depending on the crack front type, ligament shape and mode mixity, different fracture surfaces were observed. While the mode I fracture surface was smooth and flat in all samples, for mixed mode I/III and mode III, rotation and partially segmentation saw tooth shape wrinkles were observed.