Numerical Investigations of Fracture and Micro-Mechanics in Ceramics.

This document contains three technical papers: (1) 'Surface Flaw Effects on Crack Propagation from Subsonic Water Drop Impact' The effects of surface flaws on ceramic target damage from subsonic water drop impacts are investigated using numerical code simulations based on fundamental wave propagation and fracture mechanics concepts. (2) 'Effects of Surface Pores in Silicon Nitride Impacted by a Water Drop' A water drop impacting directly on a surface pore may significantly increase the probability of crack formation and growth near the pore boundary. (3) 'Strain Energy Release Associated with Circumferential Cracks Around Embedded Particles' Numerical code simulations are used to determine the strain energy release associated with circumferential cracks around spherical particles embedded in tension within homogeneous matrix materials.