Surface degradation mechanisms in brittle material structural systems

A mechanics based theory for surface degradation in brittle material systems is introduced. Surface degradation is directly related to damage progression. For this reason the mechanics of damage evolution is presented first. Subsequently, relations governing surface degradation mechanisms are derived and discussed in detail. It is shown that surface degradation can capture important properties of brittle materials such as scale (size) and shape effects, surface damage growth and subsequent bursting instabilities. Finally, the problem of transferring information from laboratory experiments to large scale problems is discussed; the need for further experimental and theoretical research is pointed out.