Edge chipping of brittle materials: effect of side-wall inclination and loading angle

An earlier analysis of chipping fracture in brittle solids is here extended to include the case of blocks with inclined side faces and non-normal contact loading. The simple relation P-F = beta K(c)h(3/2) for the critical chipping load PF in terms of indent location h and material toughness K, is preserved, with angular coordinates simply incorporated into the beta coefficient. Chipping fracture tests using a Vickers indenter near the edges of glass blocks with non-orthogonal faces is used to validate the analysis. Implications of the results in relation to practical engineering, biomechanical and anthropological structures are indicated.