Abstract
The paper1 presents a review of recent results on the problem of size effect (or the scaling problem) in nonlinear fracture mechanics of quasibrittle materials and on the validity of recent claims that the observed size effect may be caused by the fractal nature of crack surfaces. The problem of scaling is approached through dimensional analysis and asymptotic matching. Large-size and small-size asymptotic expansions of the size effect on the nominal strength of structures are presented, considering not only specimens with large notches (or traction-free cracks) but also structures with no notches. Simple size effect formulas matching the required asymptotic properties are given. Regarding the fractal nature of crack surfaces, it is concluded that it cannot be the cause of the observed size effect.
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Bažant, Z.P. (1997). Scaling in Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics. In: Willis, J.R. (eds) IUTAM Symposium on Nonlinear Analysis of Fracture. Solid Mechanics and its Applications, vol 49. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5642-4_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5642-4_1
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