The Dynamics of Rapid Fracture: Instabilities, Nonlinearities and Length Scales

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physics of dynamic fracture, highlighting the limitations of classical theories, introducing a new nonlinear framework, and linking a characteristic length scale to crack instabilities observed in experiments.

Contribution

It introduces Weakly Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics, incorporating elastic nonlinearities and a new length scale, and connects this to high-speed crack instabilities.

Findings

Experimental confirmation of LEFM predictions in soft brittle materials.

Identification of a new length scale, $\,ell_{nl}$, linked to nonlinear effects.

Prediction of high-speed oscillatory crack instabilities governed by $\,ell_{nl}$.

Abstract

The failure of materials and interfaces is mediated by cracks, nearly singular dissipative structures that propagate at velocities approaching the speed of sound. Crack initiation and subsequent propagation -- the dynamic process of fracture -- couples a wide range of time and length scales. Crack dynamics challenge our understanding of the fundamental physics processes that take place in the extreme conditions within the nearly singular region where material failure occurs. Here, we first briefly review the classic approach to dynamic fracture, "Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics" (LEFM), and discuss its successes and limitations. We show how, on the one hand, recent experiments performed on straight cracks propagating in soft brittle materials have quantitatively confirmed the predictions of this theory to an unprecedented degree. On the other hand, these experiments show how LEFM breaks down as the singular region at the tip of a crack is approached. This breakdown naturally leads to a new theoretical framework coined "Weakly Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics", where weak elastic nonlinearities are incorporated. The stronger singularity predicted by this theory gives rise to a new and intrinsic length scale, $\ell_{nl}$. These predictions are verified in detail through direct measurements. We then theoretically and experimentally review how the emergence of $\ell_{nl}$ is linked to a new equation for crack motion, which predicts the existence of a high-speed oscillatory crack instability whose wave-length is determined by $\ell_{nl}$. We conclude by delineating outstanding challenges in the field.