Modeling of deep indentation in brittle materials

Abstract We modelled deep indentation in brittle materials via a tensorial approach in three dimensions. Experimentally, we performed deep indentation in base catalyzed aerogels. When deep indentation is performed in these materials, it appears a Hertzian cone crack for both experimental and numerical results. The cone angle (angle between the surface and the boundaries of the Hertzian cone) depends on the material in which indentation is performed. The Young moduli of the materials has no effect on these angles. The tendency is that materials with increasing Poisson ratios have a decreasing value of the Hertzian cone angle.