**3.4 Determination of stress intensity factor under mode II**

In this research, the loading angle corresponding to mode II deformation in the CSTBD specimens is approximately equal to 22 (deg.) for α = 0.4. Consequently, the mode II fracture tests were performed according to these loading angle and then KII is determined for pure mode II. In this test condition, a crack propagates according

**Figure 8.** *Mode I stress intensity factor versus percentage of TCP additive in Al2O3 using different methods.*

**Figure 9.**

*Influence of mode I (opening mode) on crack initiation and propagation after the fracture tests: (a) experimental fracture and (b) numerical fracture.*

#### **Figure 10.**

*Influence of mode II (shearing mode) on crack initiation and propagation after the fracture tests: (a) experimental fracture and (b) numerical detection by successive simulations of the mode II loading angle resulting in pure shearing mode effects.*

**Figure 11.** *Mode II stress intensity factor versus percentage of TCP additive (in Al2O3).*

to mode II test and the same crack propagation is carried out in the numerical and experimental part. (see **Figure 10**).

Analytical analysis for this geometry is accomplished by using Eq. (11). **Figure 11** presents the test results for the calculation of the stress intensity factor for the same crack length with different percentages of TCP respectively. The stress
