Under what condition is it possible to identify delamination versus rolling-shear failure?

Identifying delamination versus rolling-shear failure requires specific characteristics of the surface involved. When the surface veneer is broken, it allows inspectors to physically observe the nature of the failure. Delamination typically manifests as the separation of layers within the material, while rolling-shear failure can show different signs based on the structural integrity of the remaining materials after the veneer has fractured.

The condition of having a broken surface veneer provides direct insight into the failure mode. Inspectors can examine the layers closely to see if they have separated cleanly or if there are signs consistent with rolling-shear failure, which often affects the material's structural properties differently and can lead to various visual indicators depending on how the failure occurred. Thus, this specific condition is crucial in distinguishing between the two types of failures effectively.