Extensive data of notch shape factors for V-notched Brazilian disc specimen under mixed mode loading

The linear elastic stress field was numerically analyzed around the V-notch tip in a recently developed disc-type test specimen, called the V-notched Brazilian disc (V-BD), under mixed mode in-plane loading. The notch stress intensity factors (NSIFs) which are very important parameters in brittle fracture assessment of V-notched components were calculated for V-BD specimen by using the finite element (FE) method for different notch geometries and wide range of mode mixities from pure mode I to pure mode II loading conditions. In order to simplify the obtained results to be used in practical applications, the NSIFs were converted to the dimensionless parameters called the notch shape factors (NSFs). These parameters are useful to compute more rapidly and conveniently the NSIFs in V-BD specimen for various notch angles and different notch tip radii. It is shown that the notch shape factors presented in this work combined with the appropriate failure criteria can be utilized to estimate the load-cell capacity of the test apparatus required for fracture test of V-BD specimens made of different brittle materials.

► Notch stress intensity factors were computed for V-BD sample loaded under mixed mode.
► NSIFs were converted to the dimensionless parameters called the notch shape factors.
► One can compute NSIFs for V-BD specimen without requiring finite element analysis.
► Fracture load can be converted to the fracture toughness by using NSFs curves.
► Using NSFs and failure criteria one can estimate the test machine load cell capacity.