scheurtype

Scheurtype is a Dutch-language term used to describe a classification of cracks in materials and structures. It refers to the characteristic pattern, origin, and propagation path of a crack, and is used in engineering, geology, and materials science to assess damage, predict growth, and decide on repairs. In fracture mechanics, crack behavior is often described in terms of modes: opening (mode I), in-plane sliding (mode II), and out-of-plane tearing (mode III). The concept of scheurtype is used to summarize which of these modes predominates in a given crack, or to describe observable features of the crack surface.

Common scheurtypes include tensile cracks that open under normal stresses, shear cracks that propagate along shear planes, and mixed-mode cracks where opening and sliding occur together. In concrete and other brittle materials, additional distinctions are made by pattern and initiation mechanism, such as linear, branched, or stepped cracks, as well as by causes like thermal effects, drying shrinkage, corrosion, or load. In geology, scheurtypes may describe fault-related or fracture-surface patterns that reflect stress history and rock properties.

Determination of scheurtype relies on visual inspection and, where appropriate, non-destructive testing methods such as ultrasound, penetrant dye, radiography, or microscopy. Advanced analysis may use computational modeling to simulate stress fields and crack paths, clarifying the dominant mode and potential growth directions.

Importance: identifying the scheurtype supports risk assessment, informs repair strategies, and aids in lifetime prediction for structures, components, and geological formations.