Determination of the Stress Intensity Factor by the Method of Caustics

CAUSTICS방법에 의한 응력확대계수 결정

The optical method of reflected and transmitted caustics has been utilized in mechanics investigations. This relatively new experimental technique has been successfully applied on various fracture analysis such as static and dynamic c rack propagation studies, some elasticity problems and contact stress, etc, In this study, the stress intensity factors in thin polycarbonate specimens, a kind of optically anisotropic material, under Mode I loading condition are estimated by the method of caustics. The values of stress intensity factors obtained from theoretical caustics shape are compared by the experiment. It is confirmed that the two stress intensity factors agree well with Srawley's solution.