Stability of cohesive crack model: Part II - eigenvalue analysis of size effect on strength and ductility of structures

The preceding paper is extended to the analysis of size effect on strength and ductility of structures. For the case of geometrically similar structures of different sizes, the criterion of stability limit is transformed to an eigenvalue problem for a homogeneous Fredholm integral equation, with the structure size as the eigenvalue. Under the assumption of a linear softening stress-displacement relation for the cohesive crack, the eigenvalue problem is linear. The maximum load of structure under load control, as well as the maximum deflection under displacement control (which characterizes ductility of the structure), can be solved explicitly in terms of the eigenfunction of the aforementioned integral equation.