Fracture is a natural reaction of solids to relieve stress and shed excess energy. The fragility of solids is a constant threat to our survival as we drive over a bridge, go through a tunnel, or even inside a building. This book weaves together the essential concepts underlying fracture mechanics.

This book fulfills the need for a short, modern, introductory text on linear elastic fracture mechanics and its engineering applications. Suitable for use by engineering undergraduates, and other newcomers to the subject, it:- • Explains the main ideas underlying present day linear elastic fracture mechanics and how these have been developed. • Shows how the ideas can be used to carry out calculations answering the question 'Does this crack matter?' from the viewpoint of an engineering designer. • Provides an understanding of the basis of standard methods and software employed to carry out calculations. • Includes additional, more advanced material, where this will increase understanding of the sometimes formidable mathematics involved, and of the various simplifications and approximations used in practical applications. The author includes all the material central to an undergraduate introductory course and ends each chapter with an overview of the material covered to aid accessibility. Familiarity with the mechanical properties of metallic materials, and with the linear elastic stress analysis of uncracked bodies is assumed.

Fracture: An Advanced Treatise, Volume IV: Engineering Fracture Design presents the development and status of knowledge on sudden, catastrophic failure of structures due to unexpected brittle fracture of component materials. This book provides information pertinent to the engineering fracture design as well as the microscopic and macroscopic fundamentals of fracture. Organized into eight chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the evaluation of fracture tests. This text then presents an analysis of temperature effects on fracture. Other chapters consider the fracture and carrying capacity of long, slender columns and related topics. This book discusses as well the problems in connection with columns, beams, and plates, and experimental evidence to support theories proposed for describing the strength and stiffness of these elements. The final chapter presents an analysis of the problem of brittle fracture in weldments. This book is a valuable resource for engineers, students, and research workers in industrial organizations, education and research institutions, and various government agencies.

"Hertzberg's 5th edition of Deformation & Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials offers several new features including a greater number and variety of homework problems using more computational software; more "real world" applications of theories, case studies; and less coverage of metals. Furthermore, this edition has more focus shifted toward emerging technologies (nanotechnology, micro mechanical systems), dislocations, macroscale plasticity; nanomaterials, biomaterials, smart materials and a new chapter on products liability/recall - supported by vast majority of survey respondents"--

On Fracture Mechanics A major objective of engineering design is the determination of the geometry and dimensions of machine or structural elements and the selection of material in such a way that the elements perform their operating function in an efficient, safe and economic manner. For this reason the results of stress analysis are coupled with an appropriate failure criterion. Traditional failure criteria based on maximum stress, strain or energy density cannot adequately explain many structural failures that occurred at stress levels considerably lower than the ultimate strength of the material. On the other hand, experiments performed by Griffith in 1921 on glass fibers led to the conclusion that the strength of real materials is much smaller, typically by two orders of magnitude, than the theoretical strength. The discipline of fracture mechanics has been created in an effort to explain these phenomena. It is based on the realistic assumption that all materials contain crack-like defects from which failure initiates. Defects can exist in a material due to its composition, as second-phase particles, debonds in composites, etc. , they can be introduced into a structure during fabrication, as welds, or can be created during the service life of a component like fatigue, environment-assisted or creep cracks. Fracture mechanics studies the loading-bearing capacity of structures in the presence of initial defects. A dominant crack is usually assumed to exist.

Emphasizing a balanced approach to design that integrates fracture mechanics, materials science and stress analysis, this work explains the fundamentals of fracture and provides clear definitions, basic formulas and worked examples. Case studies highlight fracture mechanics parameters of particular materials and hands-on stress analysis techniques.

Deformation and Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials, Sixth Edition, provides a detailed examination of the mechanical behavior of metals, ceramics, polymers, and their composites. Offering an integrated macroscopic/microscopic approach to the subject, this comprehensive textbook features in-depth explanations, plentiful figures and illustrations, and a full array of student and instructor resources. Divided into two sections, the text first introduces the principles of elastic and plastic deformation, including the plastic deformation response of solids and concepts of stress, strain, and stiffness. The following section demonstrates the application of fracture mechanics and materials science principles in solids, including determining material stiffness, strength, toughness, and time-dependent mechanical response. Now offered as an interactive eBook, this fully-revised edition features a wealth of digital assets. More than three hours of high-quality video footage helps students understand the practical applications of key topics, supported by hundreds of PowerPoint slides highlighting important information while strengthening student comprehension. Numerous real-world examples and case studies of actual service failures illustrate the importance of applying fracture mechanics principles in failure analysis. Ideal for college-level courses in metallurgy and materials, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering, this popular is equally valuable for engineers looking to increase their knowledge of the mechanical properties of solids.