Some Effects of Cavities on the Fracture of Ceramics: I, Cylindrical Cavities

Abstract

The problem of fracture from cylindrical cavities in brittle materials was analyzed. The analysis is based on the conditions required to extend cracks that preexist at the cavity surface and involves the combined use of fracture mechanics and statistics solutions for crack extension in the concentrated stress field around the cavity. The pertinence of the approach is substantiated by experimental studies of fracture from cavities in polycrystalline alumina.