On the tensile strength of brittle materials with a consideration of Poisson's ratios

The influence of Poisson's ratio on the tensile strength of brittle materials is neglected in many studies. When brittle materials are loaded in compression or impact, substantial tensile stresses are induced within the materials. These tensile stresses are responsible for splitting failure of the materials. In this paper, the state of stress in a spherical particle due to two diametrically opposed forces is analyzed theoretically. A simple equation for the state of stress at the center of the particle is obtained. An analysis of the distribution of stresses along the z-axis due to distributed pressures and concentrated forces, and on diametrically horizontal plane due to concentrated forces, shows that it is reasonable to propose the tensile stress at the center of the particle at the point of failure as a tensile strength of the particle. Moreover, the tensile strength is a function of the Poisson's ratio of the material. As the state of stress along the z-axis in an irregular specimen tends to be similar to that in a spherical particle compressed diametrically with the same force, this tensile strength has some validity for irregular particles as well. Therefore, it can be proposed as the tensile strength for brittle materials generally. The effect of Poisson's ratio on the tensile strength is discussed.