Amorphous shear bands in crystalline materials as drivers of plasticity.

Traditionally, the formation of amorphous shear bands in crystalline materials has been undesirable, because shear bands can nucleate voids and act as precursors to fracture. They also form as a final stage of accumulated damage. Only recently were shear bands found to form in undefected crystals, where they serve as the primary driver of plasticity without nucleating voids.

Investigation of the observed rupture lines in abdominal aortic aneurysms using crack propagation simulations.

Objective: To use crack propagation simulation to study the rupture site characteristics in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

Methods: Rupture lines were precisely documented in four ruptured AAA harvested whole from cadavers. Wall thickness and material parameters were experimentally determined.