A review of certain non-standard theoretical and experimental investigations in fracture mechanics

A review of certain less known non-standard theoretical and experimental investigations in fracture mechanics is presented. It is outlined that using non-local theory of elasticity one obtains non-singular stress distributions at the crack tip. Shortly are described special non-standard experimental techniques used in crack propagation investigations: shadow optical method of caustics, determination of plastic zones at the crack tip by the recrystallization method, the infrared radiometry applications in fracture mechanics and the tomography in damage mechanics.