Spherical voids by finite fracture mechanics

The apparent weakening of a uniaxially tensioned infinite domain that contains a single spherical void and is anywhere else filled with a homogeneous and linear elastic material is investigated through two Finite Fracture Mechanics approaches. Resultant charts depicting the respectively predicted relation of the weakening ratio with the void's radius clearly show that the fracture toughness drives the transition between the strength-dominated extreme solutions, namely voidless and large void. Eventually, the Finite Fracture Mechanics predictions are compared with experimental results, yielding a reasonably good agreement.