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.

The book offers detailed treatment on fundamental concepts of fracture mechanics. The text is useful for undergraduate students, graduate students and researchers.

Fracture mechanics is an essential tool for engineers in a number of different engineering disciplines. For example, an engineer in a metals- or plastics-dependent industry might use fracture mechanics to evaluate and characterize materials, while another in aerospace or construction might use fracture mechanics-based methods for product design and service life-time estimation. This balanced treatment, which covers both applied engineering and mathematical aspects of the topic, provides a much-needed multidisciplinary treatment of the field suitable for the many diverse applications of the subject. While texts on linear elastic fracture mechanics abound, no complete treatments of the complex topic of nonlinear fracture mechanics have been available in a textbook format - until now. Written by an author with extensive industry credentials as well as academic experience, Nonlinear Fracture Mechanics for Engineers examines nonlinear fracture mechanics and its applications in mechanics, materials testing, and life prediction of components. The book includes the first-ever complete examination of creep and creep-fatigue crack growth. Examples and problems reinforce the concepts presented. A complete chapter on applications and case studies involving nonlinear fracture mechanics completes this thorough evaluation of this dynamic field of study.

It is difficult to do justice to fracture mechanics in a textbook, for the subject encompasses so many disciplines. A general survey of the field would serve no purpose other than give a collection of references. The present book by Professor E. E. Gdoutos is refreshing because it does not fall into the esoteric tradition of outlining equations and results. Basic ideas and underlying principles are clearly explained as to how they are used in application. The presentations are concise and each topic can be understood by advanced undergraduates in material science and continuum mechanics. The book is highly recommended not only as a text in fracture mechanics but also as a reference to those interested in the general aspects of failure analysis. In addition to providing an in-depth review of the analytical methods for evaluating the fundamental quantities used in linear elastic fracture mechanics, various criteria are discussed re:O. ecting their limitations and applications. Par ticular emphases are given to predicting crack initiation, subcritical growth and the onset of rapid fracture from a single criterion. Those models in which it is assumed that the crack extends from tip to tip rely on the specific surface energy concept. The differences in the global and energy states before and after crack extension were associated with the energy required to create a unit area of crack surface. Applications were limited by the requirement of self-similar crack growth.

In this way the origins and limitations of the simplified results presented in other introductory texts is apparent. The selection of topics and order of presentation in the book evolved from a graduate course in fracture mechanics developed by the author over the last two decades."--BOOK JACKET.

This textbook consists primarily of notes by Iain Finnie who taught a popular course on fracture mechanics at the University of California at Berkeley. It presents a comprehensive and detailed exposition of fracture, the fundamentals of fracture mechanics and procedures for the safe design of engineering components made from metal alloys, brittle materials like glasses and ceramics, and composites. Interesting and practical problems are listed at the end of most chapters to give the student practice in applying the theory. A solutions manual is provided to the instructor. The text presents a unified perspective of fracture with a strong fundamental foundation and practical applications. In addition to its role as a text, this reference would be invaluable for the practicing engineer who is involved in the design and evaluation of components that are fracture critical. This book also: Presents details of derivations of the basic equations of fracture mechanics and the historical context of the development of fracture theory and methodology Treats linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics methodologies beginning with a review of the basic equations of solid mechanics followed by solutions useful in fracture prediction Illustrates the basis of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), practical applications of LEFM in the design of fracture-tolerant structural components Offers interesting, practical, classroom proven problems at the end of most chapters Includes instructor's solutions manual

In the preliminary stage of designing new structural hardware that must perform a given mission in a fluctuating load environment, there are several factors the designers should consider. Trade studies for different design configurations should be performed and, based on strength and weight considerations, among others, an optimum configuration selected. The selected design must be able to withstand the environment in question without failure. Therefore, a comprehen sive structural analysis that consists of static, dynamic, fatigue, and fracture is necessary to ensure the integrity of the structure. During the past few decades, fracture mechanics has become a necessary discipline for the solution of many structural problems. These problems include the prevention of failures resulting from preexisting cracks in the parent material, welds or that develop under cyclic loading environment during the life of the structure. The importance of fatigue and fracture in nuclear, pressure vessel, aircraft, and aerospace structural hardware cannot be overemphasized where safety is of utmost concern. This book is written for the designer and strength analyst, as well as for the material and process engineer who is concerned with the integrity of the structural hardware under load-varying environments in which fatigue and frac ture must be given special attention. The book is a result of years of both acade mic and industrial experiences that the principal author and co-authors have accumulated through their work with aircraft and aerospace structures.