On a continuum theory for crack propagation in brittle materials

摘要

This paper is concerned with the development of a theory for crack propagation in brittle solids. In order tocharacterize the cohesion state of the material, an order parameter eld, which is related to the population of defects,is introduced. The microforce system, which acts in response to changes in the population of defects, is introducedand it is presumed consistent with its own balance, the microforce balance. Kinetic equations are obtained from themicroforce balance and appropriate constitutive equations. The theory, which is described within the framework ofmodern continuum mechanics, can be considered as the rst step toward a unifying route to incorporate not onlyphysical processes on the microscale but also non-local effects.