ABSTRACT
The fracture behavior of a specific fiber or particulate can be accurately simulated by studying the dynamic behavior of a crack approaching a bimaterial interface, where one phase stands for the matrix and the other for the fiber or particulate material. By varying the mechanical properties of the two phases and the relative inclination of the interface to the initial crack direction, one can find possible angles where a crack splits an inclusion, or runs parallel to it, including the case when the crack propagates momentarily along this interface. Interesting conclusions concerning the real stress state and crack velocity in the close vicinity of an interface can be derived, including rapid velocity changes and a diffusion of the stress singularity in a thin layer surrounding the interface.
