An Analytical Theory for Radial Crack Propagation: Application to Spherical Indentation

A simple analytical theory is proposed for estimating the number of radial cracks which will propagate in brittle materials subjected to axisymmetric transverse surface loads. First, an expression is obtained for the stress intensity factor of a traction-free star-shaped crack in an infinite elastic membrane subjected to axisymmetric transverse loads. Combining this relation with the critical stress intensity factor criterion for fracture, an implicit expression is obtained which defines the number of cracks as a function of the applied loading, initial flaw size, and fracture toughness. Based on the form of this expression, we argue that if the initial flaw size is sufficiently small compared to the length scale associated with the loading, then the number of cracks can be determined approximately in closed-form from the analysis of a traction-free star-shaped crack in a thin body subjected to uniform equibiaxial in-plane tension. In an attempt to validate the theory, comparisons are made with spherical micro-indentation experiments of silicon carbide (Wereszczak and Johanns, 2008, “Spherical Indentation of SiC,” Advances in Ceramic Armor II, Wiley, NY, Chap. 4) and good agreement is obtained for the number of radial cracks as a function of indentation load.