Physics Behind Cutting Brick/Stone With Chisels?

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The discussion explains the physics of using a cold or masonry chisel to score and cut bricks. The process begins with light blows to create a shallow groove, which acts as a stress concentration point due to the brittleness of bricks. A subsequent harder blow generates peak stress that exceeds the tensile strength along the groove, causing the brick to break. This method is similar to cutting glass, where scoring is followed by bending to facilitate a clean break. Understanding stress concentration and brittle fracture is essential for mastering this technique.
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What is the physics behind how a cold/masonry chisel splits a brick or concrete?
Can someone please explain the physics of how a cold/masonry chisel used to score a brick cuts the prick along a more or less even line without actually "cutting"?
 
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The process of cutting a brick starts by light blows to cut a shallow groove. Since bricks are brittle, a groove is a significant stress concentration. Then a harder blow causes peak stress that exceeds the tensile strength along the groove, breaking the brick.

Relevant search terms to learn more:

Stress concentration
Hertzian contact stress
Brittle fracture

The same principle is used to cut glass by first scoring with a cutting tool, then bending it over an edge.
 
 
Bystander said:


To completely violate the 'Terms of Use' here, I read somewhere many years ago that:
The water molecules are about the right size to wedge themselves in the micro-cracks in stressed glass.

Details (if any) are lost in the fog of time. 😥

Another common trick is to use Kerosene instead of water.
 
Tom.G said:
Another common trick is to use Kerosene instead of water.
Water is small enough to get in and prevent the glass healing, so it promotes cracking by about 20%. Kerosene, (Paraffin oil), toughens the glass by about 20%, preventing the crack from running.
 
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