Non-Linear Evolution of a Uniaxially Stressed Solid: A Route to Fracture?

The non-linear evolution of a uniaxially stressed solid is analysed numerically within a finite-element approach. There are two physically different situations: i) a solid in contact with a liquid, ii) a solid in contact with vacuum. We focus on the first case, which has been recently investigated experimentally (Balibar S., Edwards D. O. and Saam W. F., J. Low Temp. Phys. , 82 (1991) 119). Crack-like patterns are found to develop even close to the instability threshold. In situation i), the grooves are more pronounced than in case ii). For relatively extended systems, we find superstructures emerging from a groove instability . The implications on fracture generation together with other outlooks are briefly discussed.