Crack bifurcations in a strained lattice

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Abstract
Dynamic crack propagation in a strained, granular, and brittle material is investigated by modeling the material as a lattice network of elastic beams. By tuning the strain and the ratio of axial to bending stiffness of the beams, a crack propagates either straight, or it branches, or it bifurcates. The crack tip velocity is calculated approximately for cracks that propagate straight. In a bifurcated crack the number of broken beams follows a scaling law. The shape of the branches is found to be the same as in recent experiments.

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