Fracture Mechanics

Catalog description

This course covers fracture mechanics concepts for design, materials selection, and failure analysis. The fundamental principles of fracture parameters and criteria, stress field at the tip of a crack, fracture toughness, thickness effect, plastic zone concept, and crack growth under cyclic loading and aggressive environment will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on the practical applications of fracture mechanics by incorporation of design problems and laboratory demonstrations in the course. Emphasis will be placed on the practical applications of fracture mechanics by incorporation of a failure investigation study where the students utilize the skills developed with the course to root cause a real world failure. Taking a holistic approach each student will have their own case study and learn to incorporate fracture mechanics, material science, mechanics of materials, computer simulation, and manufacturing techniques and knowledge into their project. Students select a related research topic, identify a technical paper to review, and give a class presentation. Undergraduate equivalent: MEEG 4327 .