Fracture Mechanics

Catalog description

Introduction to failure of materials and fracture. Microscopic, microstructural and continuum fracture theories. The energy balance theory. The stress intensity factor and energy release rate. Crack growth under fixed displacement vs. fixed load. Crack tip stress and displacement distributions. Modes of fracture. Analytical determination of stress intensity factors. Stress intensity factors for simple crack geometries. Experimental determination of fracture toughness. Ductile fracture theories. KR - characterization. COD – characterization. The J – Integral. Analysis of stress singularities in single and bonded materials. Application of fracture to composite materials. Fatigue crack propagation. Stress corrosion cracking.