Generic features of brittle crack propagation engendered by the dynamics of the process zone

摘要

We demonstrate that internal dynamics within the transformational process zone at the tip of a propagating crack gives rise to energy dissipation. It manifests itself as a velocity-dependent resistance force exerted on the crack tip. It has the effect of limiting the terminal crack speed to below the Rayleigh velocity as well as giving rise to a discontinuous dependence of the crack velocity upon the driving force. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2015