A note on complexities of compression failure

Abstract
The compression cracking theory of glassy materials recently proposed by Kendall ( Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 361, 245 (1978)) is shown to predict some physically inconsistent results. A simple modification of this otherwise elegant theory is proposed. The modified theory, like the Griffith theory for tension cracks, predicts an essentially unstable crack propagation process in compression — a result observed in Kendall’s experiments, but not explained by his theory. It is shown that the failure load in compression does not approach infinity as the width of the punch or platen approaches that of the test specimen. It is also found that, besides the platen geometry, the length of the precrack plays a very important role in controlling the failure mode transition from compression cracking to yielding under platen and to buckling. The theoretical predictions are verified by experimental investigation.

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