Dynamic response of bimaterial and graded interface cracks under impact loading

The interfacial fracture in bimaterial and functionally graded material (FGM) under impact loading conditions is investigated using experimental and numerical techniques that are valid for both type of interfaces. Experiments are conducted on epoxy based specimens in three point bend configuration and the complex SIF is measured using an electrical strain gage mounted close to the crack-tip. A complementary two-dimensional finite element simulation is performed using tup force and support reactions as input tractions, and the SIF-time history is determined using a displacement extrapolation technique. The experimentally determined SIF-histories match closely with numerical simulation up to the time of fracture initiation. The test results show that the mode-mixity remains nearly constant through out the test in both the materials, and the mixity values correspond to their respective static counterparts. The general dynamic response of the bimaterial and FGM specimens in terms of impact load, support reaction and the magnitude of complex SIF are comparable, and the mode-mixity is the parameter that distinguishes the graded interface from the bimaterial case.