Linear Fracture Mechanics - What It Is, What It Does
Abstract
This report is intended to assist non-specialists in understanding papers on linear elastic fracture mechanics. The main concepts are described, and the various terms and conventions used are explained. Advanced mathematical techniques are used in fracture mechanics; some of which are described briefly, but results rather than methods are emphasized. Fracture mechanics developed from the study of brittle fractures which had taken place below general yield; it is found that such failures always originate at some type of crack or flaw. Previously, the problem of brittle fracture was tackled by empirical methods based on service experience but the problem can only be properly understood using fracture mechanics, which is the applied mechanics of crack growth starting from a flaw. Stress analysis of cracked parts leads to the concept of stress intensity factor, which describes the elastic crack tip stress field. A critical value of this factor at which crack growth starting from a flaw. Stress analysis of cracked parts leads to the concept of stress intensity factor, which describes the elastic crack tip stress field. A critical value of this factor at which crack growth starts is a useful measure of the fracture toughness, or resistance to brittle fracture of a high strength material, which can be used for material development, quality control, design failure analysis. The stress intensity factor can be applied to other types of crack growth such as stress corrosion and fatigue crack growth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- ADA955107
Entities
People
- L. P. Pook