Equations · equation
Griffith Fracture Criterion
Materials Science · 1921
- Equation
- σ_f = √(2Eγ / πa)
- Field
- Materials Science
- Named After
- Alan Arnold Griffith
- Symbols
- σ_f stress at which fracture runs away · E Young's modulus · γ energy to create new surface · a length of the largest existing crack
- Year
- 1921
Significance
Things break not because their atoms are weak but because flaws concentrate stress — strength falls with the square root of the biggest crack. Why glass fibres are strong while glass panes shatter, why aircraft windows are round, and the founding equation of fracture mechanics.
Referenced by
element
equation
skill
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