A theory of fracture based upon an extension of continuum mechanics to the nanoscale

A theory of fracture is presented that is based upon an extension of continuum mechanics to the nanoscale through the incorporation of long-range intermolecular forces which correct bulk material descriptions near interfaces. The surface energy on crack surfaces, which is given in terms of the long-range intermolecular forces, plays an important role in an expression for the stress distribution near the crack tip. It is observed through numerical simulation that the incorporation of these long-range intermolecular forces removes the square-root stress singularity predicted by classical linear elastic fracture mechanics.