Scaling of Shear Band Fracture Processes

Recently a shear band model has been constructed describing the micro processes of damage (Ref 1). The model considers arrays of shear bands in several size groups and orientations. Under large plastic strains the bands are nucleated, grow, and coalesce to form fragments. With this model we can now estimate the importance of scaling and rate effects. The two effects are intimately related because rate effects are a common source for deviations from replica scaling. Here the model is outlined briefly, with emphasis on the nucleation process which is the main contributor to rate effects. Then a series of calculations are described in which a range of strain rates was applied. The number and size of bands and the strain to failure are examined as a function of strain rate.