Cracking in PMMA containing U‐shaped notches

Abstract

A procedure is proposed to evaluate the mechanical response (i.e. peak loads and load–displacement) of a notched component. A cracking criterion is given, applicable to quasi‐brittle materials under monotonic loading. This procedure is based on a cohesive zone‐crack model. Numerical predictions are in good agreement with a large experimental programme in which PMMA specimens of different shapes and sizes including U‐notch radius and U‐notch depth were tested. All experimental results are reported. The paper closes with a discussion of the proposed cracking criteria and some proposals for future work.