AbstractA four‐point bend test was performed on injection‐molded bar‐shaped polystyrene specimens with notches of varying depths. The material investigated was found to be linear elastic and brittle. From the load–displacement curves, various fracture toughness parameters based on energy release rate theories and stress–intensity factors were calculated. The stress concentrations arising from the presence of finite size notches with finite root radii were also calculated. The local stress at crack initiation was found to be nearly constant for all specimens investigated while the fracture toughness parameters based on energy release rates were not constant. A distinct change in the crack propagation behavior was observed when the curvature of the stiffness vs. notch depth curve changed sign, clearly defining the onset of unstable cra
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