Criterion for crack initiation from notch located at the interface of bi-material structure

The fracture process of bi-material structure with the notch was analysed in this work. For fracture prediction, a criterion based on the Theory of Critical Distances was used. Under analysis were elements made of aluminium alloy and polymer combination (with a various structural notch-tip angle), which then were subjected to the three-point bending test. Values of critical loads resulting from the used hypothesis were compared with values obtained from the experiment. Validation of the selected criterion required defining a qualitative and quantitative description of singular stress fields present around the structural notch-tip area. Therefore, such solutions were obtained and methodology of their determining was discussed.