Effect of wire aspect ratio and crack configurations on stress intensity factor solutions of transverse cracked cylindrical fracture specimen in tension

Finite element analysis has been employed to evaluate the mode I geometric factor solutions of asymmetric cracks, as well as symmetric cracks in a cylindrical fracture specimen in tension, as a function of wire aspect ratio and relative crack depth. Our study establishes the defining role of wire aspect ratio on the geometric factor solutions. The influence of on wire aspect ratio is explained in terms of the contributions of tension and bending ahead of an asymmetric crack due to the boundary conditions that result out of the axial constraints of a tension test. Experimental validation of the geometric factor solutions is carried out on - Poly(methylmethacrylate). The applicability of these solutions to fracture toughness measurements at the micro and nanoscale, especially in ceramic fibres and metallic wires is discussed.