This review compiles knowledge about the mechanical and structural performance of brittle
matrix composites. The overall philosophy recognizes the need for models that allow …

Featuring in-depth discussions on tensile and compressive properties, shear properties,
strength, hardness, environmental effects, and creep crack growth," Mechanical Properties …

Natural biological materials such as bone, teeth and nacre are nanocomposites of protein
and mineral with superior strength. It is quite a marvel that nature produces hard and tough …

Fracture mechanics concepts are applied to gain some understanding of the hierarchical
nanocomposite structures of hard biological tissues such as bone, tooth and shells. At the …

The determination of cohesive laws for describing large scale failure process zones is
discussed. Firstly, a general approach for determination of cohesive laws, by the …

In this paper, the crack-tip fields in a general nonhomogeneous material are summarized.
The fracture toughness and R-curve of functionally graded materials (FGMs) are studied …

A new model based on finite fracture mechanics is proposed to predict the open-hole tensile
strength of composite laminates. Failure is predicted when both stress-based and energy …

This paper describes a modification to the traditional Griffith energy balance as used in
linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The modification involves using a finite amount of …

A new energy-based theory, quantized fracture mechanics (QFM), is presented that modifies
continuum-based fracture mechanics; stress-and strain-based QFM analogs are also …

A cohesive-zone model for a fiber-reinforced polymer–matrix composite is presented. A two-
parameter model with a characteristic toughness and a characteristic strength can be used …