The following experimental data are presented and discussed: a) the explosion-like
nucleation of micro- (meso) cracks; b) the dependence of the scale of local “microcatastrophe” on
the relation between the released strain energy and the dissipative properties of the nearest
environment; c) the determinative influence of the dissipative properties on the rate of redistribution
of local stresses. The presented data evidence that every event of defect nucleation that takes place
at either micro- or mesoscale level in the heterogeneous solid examines the energy absorbtion
properties of the whole system. Future localization of the macroscopical failure is of “accidental
type”, that is results from random, active formation of the ensemble of micro- and mesocracks in
different localities as a consequence of the decrease of the dissipative capability of surrounding
volume.
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