Research will be conducted into the inelastic deformation and failure of ceramics in a combined theoretical and experimental investigation. The research will address improved understanding of the development of microcrack structures and corresponding reduction in stiffness of materials. Constitutive equations will be developed for the evolution of damage due to microcrack initiation, growth, and coalescence. Sub- microsecond duration plane-wave experiments will be conducted to verify the theoretical models. The impacted ceramics specimens will be recovered and examined after impact to characterize the development of microcracks. An improved understanding of microcrack development in ceramics and the subsequent effect on stiffness will be applicable to a wide variety of strength/stiffness problems in ceramics.
