Microcracks have been associated with age-related bone tissue fragility and fractures. The objective of this study was to develop a simple osteonal cortical bone model and apply linear elastic fracture mechanics theory to understand the micromechanics of the fracture process in osteonal cortical bone and its dependence on material properties. The linear fracture mechanics of our composite model of cortical bone, consisting of an osteon and interstitial bone tissue, was characterized in terms of a stress intensity factor (SIF) near the tip of a microcrack. The interaction between a microcrack and an osteon was studied for different types of osteons and various spacing between the crack and the osteon. The results of the analysis indicate that the fracture mechanics of osteonal cortical bone is dominated by the modulus ratio between the osteon and interstitial bone tissue: A soft osteon promotes microcrack propagation toward the osteon (and cement line) while a stiff one repels the microcrack from the osteon (and cement line). These findings suggest that newly formed, low-stiffness osteons may toughen cortical bone tissue by promoting crack propagation toward osteons. A relatively accurate empirical formula also was obtained to provide an easy estimation of the influence of osteons on the stress intensity factor.
Discontinuities in the form of cracks or fissures and inclusions are often present in natural clays. They serve as stress concentrators when loads are applied to the material. Such concentrations result in cracks advancing, often surrounded by and preceded by a propagating damage zone. As cracks propagate, the damage may be in the form of one or more shear bands, which may play the part of new stress concentrators and blunt the action of the original crack. This Paper examines some of the phenomena associated with cracks in over-consolidated clays and normally consolidated clays. Differences between isotropic and anisotropic materials, and the level at which serious modifications take place in the fabric of the material are noted. The influence of the cracks and the shear bands on the kinematics and strength of the test specimens is discussed. Des discontinuités sont souvent présentes, sous forme de fractures, fissures et inclusions, dans les argiles naturelles. Elles jouent le rôle de concentrateurs de contrainte lorsque des charges sont appliquées sur le matériau. De telles concentrations se traduisent par une progression des fissures, souvent entourée et précédée par une zone d'endommagement. Lorsque les fissures se propagent, l'endommagement peut apparaître sous forme d'une ou plusieurs bandes de cisaillement qui peuvent jouer le rôle de nouveaux concentrateurs de contrainte et réduire l'action des fissures initiales. L'article étudie quelques uns des phénomènes associésà la fissuration dans des argiles surconsolidées ou normalement consolidées. Des différences entre matériaux isotropes et anisotropes, ainsi que le niveauà partir duquel des modifications importantes apparaissent dans la texture, ont été observés. L'influence des fissures et des bandes de cisaillement sur la cinématique et la résistance des échantillons d'essai est discutée.
A new technique involving sample preparation, video imaging, and image analysis has been developed to observe the kinematics of shear bands when geomaterials are subjected to a general state of combined stress. The technique provides an effective, low-cost, and non-invasive way to monitor the development and measure the deformations inside and outside the shear bands. Its capabilities are demonstrated through a series of drained tests in which thin hollow cylinders of sand are subjected to combinations of hydrostatic, axial, and torsional stresses. It is shown that the deformation within the shear band is different from the global one and the one in its vicinity. For sand specimens with the same configuration, density, and confining pressure, the initiation, orientation, and thickness of shear bands depend on the loading path.
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