2026, Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A

A simplified fracture mechanics framework is introduced to investigate micro-crack initiation in homogeneous brittle solids subjected to quasi-static loading. Brittle materials, such as glass, ceramics, and high-strength rocks, exhibit limited plastic deformation, making crack initiation a dominant factor governing strength and failure.

The abstracted model considers an initially flaw-containing continuum in which micro-cracks nucleate from inherent defects when the local stress intensity reaches a critical threshold. Energy balance concepts are used to relate crack initiation to surface energy and elastic strain energy release, providing insight into the transition from stable micro-damage to unstable crack growth. Parametric trends are discussed to show the sensitivity of initiation stress to elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and characteristic flaw dimensions. The role of boundary conditions and loading symmetry is also highlighted to demonstrate how simplified geometries can still capture essential fracture behavior.

By reducing the complexity of micro-scale fracture processes into a transparent analytical description, this research offers a conceptual bridge between material science observations and continuum-level fracture theories. The findings are intended to support preliminary material assessment, comparative evaluation of brittle solids, and educational understanding of fracture initiation mechanisms. While not replacing detailed numerical or experimental approaches, the simplified framework provides a useful baseline for interpreting fracture test data and for guiding more advanced investigations into brittle failure phenomena. These results encourage consistent use of fracture mechanics principles in early-stage design, screening, and pedagogy, while acknowledging assumptions and motivating future refinement through experiments and simulations across diverse brittle engineering materials and loading conditions encountered in practice and education.