On the dominance of the singular dynamic crack tip stress field under high rate loading

The dynamic stress field near a running crack tip is investigated using photoelasticity and caustics. Both quasistatic and dynamic impact loads were considered. Under impact loading, it was found that the range of dominance of the singular term in the asymptotic crack tip stress field expansion was very small. The need for considering higher order transient terms in interpreting the isochromatic fringes is demonstrated. Also, the importance of considering the effect of the higher order transient terms in the characterization of failure criteria is discussed. Experimental data for Lexan are discussed.