Dynamic fracture of a discrete dissimilar chain: transient, subsonic and supersonic regimes

TL;DR

This study investigates the dynamic fracture behavior of a dissimilar chain with masses and springs, revealing different regimes including subsonic and supersonic, supported by theoretical predictions and numerical simulations.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical and numerical analysis of dynamic fracture regimes in dissimilar chains, highlighting the influence of loading position and transient behaviors.

Findings

Existence of subsonic, transonic, and supersonic crack propagation regimes.

Identification of a velocity gap preventing certain crack speeds.

Numerical simulations confirm the theoretical regimes and transient dynamics.

Abstract

This paper deals with the theoretical and numerical analysis of dynamic fracture of dissimilar chain consisting of masses lined by springs. Such a structure exhibits quite different dynamic properties in comparison with a symmetrical uniform structure when dynamic properties are in question. Among other to stay in a balance, the external force applied to the system should not be the same but depend on the seed of the crack propagating as the result of the force action. Moreover, in the supersonic regime there is a bang gap in the velocity where the crack of that speed cannot propagate at all. However, having such theoretical prediction, a question still remains where and how those dynamical regimes can be achieved in real structure. We answering on this question by providing tailored numerical simulations demonstrating that various predicted steady-state regimes can be reached after rather short transient states. Among other, we analise how position of applied loading influence the result.