The study of fracture is presently based on the dimensional analysis theory which as- sumes the invariance of dimensionless equations with scale. However, in reality, the dimensionless equations also change with scaled experimentation. The application of dimensional analysis to very…
The study of fracture is presently based on the dimensional analysis theory which as- sumes the invariance of dimensionless equations with scale. However, in reality, the dimensionless equations also change with scaled experimentation. The application of dimensional analysis to very large structures is limited due to presence of significant scaling ratios and size effect. To overcome these limitations of dimensional analysis, the fracture parameters are reanalyzed using a new scaling theory called finite similitude theory. The concept of finite similitude is based on the metaphysical notion of space scaling, where changes during the space and time deformation are assessed in view of physical and trial space. This concept can be applied to all physics and is able to quantify the scale dependencies more precisely. It has been applied to various domains such as impact mechanics, powdercompaction,biomechanics,electromagnetismandprovedreliableinformulatingthescalede- pendenciesaccurately. Till now, this concept has been explored in the domain of linear elastic fracture mechanicsandelastic-plastic fracture mechanics. Here the concepts of finite similitude have been ex- plored for notched concrete beam specimens under three-point bending tests. The fracture parameter (stress intensity factor (KI)) is defined under quasistatic loading using first-order similitude theory. Finite element analysis has been performed to validate the applicability of proposed theory. The study highlights the appositeness of new finite similitude theory on the study of fracture parameters.