Objectives

• Explain the underlying assumptions and limitations of fracture mechanics
• Describe the process for material selection for fatigue and fracture resistance
• The difference between various Fatigue Life techniques
• The technologies behind Fracture Mechanics
• How and when to use the different types of techniques
• The difference between a Fatigue and a Fracture Mechanics approach, and when to use each of them.
• The importance of accurate stresses for Fatigue Life prediction.

Contents

• Fracture mechanics versus strength-of-materials approach to design against fracture
• Fracture mechanics versus S-N curve approach to design against fatigue failure
• Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM)
• The Griffith model for cracks
• The energy release rate parameter
• The stress intensity factor (K)
• Crack tip similitude
• Crack tip plasticity
• Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics
• Introduction to fatigue crack growth
• Advanced topics in fatigue
• Environmental cracking
• LEFM Applications
• Elastic-plastic applications
• Finite element analysis of components with cracks
• Fracture mechanisms in metals & alloys
• General discussion and course wrap-up