Interpretation and inverse analysis of the wedge splitting test

Determination of the stress-crack opening relationship, s(w) a material parameter in the fictitious crack model by Hillerborg has proven to be problematic and is still not a simple task to perform. However, this paper demonstrates that the cracked non-linear hinge model by Olesen may be applied to the wedge splitting test and that it is well suited for the interpretation of test results in terms of s(w).

A fine agreement between the hinge and FEM-models has been found. It has also been found that the test and the hinge model form a solid basis for inverse analysis. The paper also discusses possible three dimensional problems in the experiment as well as the influence of specimen size.