Interaction of dynamic mode-I cracks with inclined interfaces

In this paper, we report on an experimental study of the deflection/penetration behavior of dynamic mode-I cracks propagating at two different crack velocities (slower and faster) toward inclined weak interfaces of three dissimilar angles (α): 30°, 45° and 60°. A simple wedge-loading specimen configuration as proposed by Xu et al. [Xu LR, Huang YY, Rosakis AJ. Dynamic crack deflection and penetration at interface in homogenous materials: experimental studies and model predictions. J Mech Phys Solids 2003;51:461–86], made of brittle Homalite-100, is used. A modified Hopkinson bar setup is used to achieve well-controlled impact loading conditions. Dynamic photoelasticity in conjunction with high-speed photography is used to capture real-time isochromatics associated with deflected/penetrated cracks.