Experimental investigation of mixed-mode-I/II fracture in polymer mortars using digital image correlation method

The purpose of this work is to investigate experimentally the effects of mixed-mode I/II loading on the fracture behavior of polymer mortars. Three point bend beam specimens with offcenter notch were used in plane-strain fracture toughness tests. Two approaches have been simultaneously used to determine the crack opening displacements. The crack mouth opening displacement was measured by means of a clip gauge, while the crack tip opening displacement was estimated through the Digital Image Correlation method. Fracture parameters, such as critical values of crack opening displacement, energy re...