Simulation of ceramic compositional materials fracture upon uniaxial compression

Based on the developed model of quasi-brittle media, the brittle and quasi-brittle fracture of ceramic compositional materials with zirconium dioxide matrix and different percent content of corundum hardening particles is studied. The fracture is shown to develop in two stages — slow quasi-stationary phase of damage accumulation and superspeed catastrophic phase — aggravation mode when the fracture process reaches the macro-level and the macro-crack formation occurs.