Fracture and material strength

[g_mogni]

Let's assume I have a large block of crystalline diamond, with reported compressive strength of 110 GPa. If the cross-sectional area of the block is 1 m2, then obviously if I apply a force of 110x10^9 N the material will begin to fracture. But what if the pressure of 110 GPa is applied locally over a tiny area of say 1 mm2, will the diamond block fracture locally or do other strength criteria apply in this case? My intuition tells me that a pressure applied locally will have a much harder time fracturing the whole block of material than a uniform pressure of the same magnitude applied across the whole cross-sectional area...

Thanks,

Gabriele

 

[Nidum]

Multiple possibilities . Depends on how load is applied and on the material properties , geometry and support arrangements for the block .

Have you a specific problem in mind ?

 

[g_mogni]

I was reading about this problem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamant_solution

I think the second section "Forces acting on a half-plane" is particularly relevant :)