Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding
This Course presents an extensive, unified, and up-to-date approach to the still developing subject of fracture mechanics from an applied mechanics perspective. Progressing from the simple to the more advanced topics, it goes beyond the well developed area of linear elastic fracture mechanics to consider the dynamic and elastic-plastic regimes, and in doing so, extends the subject into a broader range of realistic engineering applications.
Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the Course, each student should be able to assess the safety with respect to the fracture failure of civil, mechanical, aeronautical structures.
Communication skills
At the end of the Course, each student should know all the technical words related to the topics treated.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
(1) Linear Fracture Mechanics fundaments
(2) Fracture Mechanics applied to ductile materials
(3) Fracture Mechanics applied to materials with quasi-fragile behavior
(4) Fatigue
(5) Dynamic-Fracture Mechanics
(6) Numerical methods applied in fracture mechanics and fatigue
(7) Methods to detect damage based on the wave propagation in solids
Full programme
(1) Linear Fracture Mechanics fundaments
(1.1) Strength in nano-micro and macro scale
(1.2) Energetic Criteria (Griffith)
(1.3) Local Criteria (Irwin)
(1.4) Fracture-Mechanics parameters computation
(1.5) Size Effect
(1.6)Techniques to measure the critical Fracture-Mechanics parameters
Applications using the concepts presented above
(2) Fracture Mechanics applied to ductile materials
(2.1) Interaction between fracture and plasticity
(2.2) Elastoplastic fracture mechanic. Shape and size of the plasticity region at the crack head
(2.3) Irwin correction model, Dugdale model
(2.4) COD criteria
(2.5) J integral approach
(2.6) HRR model
(2.7) Failure Assessment diagram (R6 Method) and how this approach is implemented in the standard (BS7910, API579)
(2.8) Techniques to measure elastoplastic critical parameters
Applications using the concepts presented above
(3) Fracture Mechanics applied to materials with quasi-fragile behavior
(3.1) Link between the damage mechanics and the fracture mechanics
(3.2) Localization phenomena
(3.3) Fractal dimension of the dominium where the stress, the dissipation energy and the strain are developed
(3.4) Influence to consider the randomness in the material properties
Applications using the concepts presented above
(4) Fatigue
(4.1) Phenomena description and different methodologies for its study
(4.2) Method based on Fracture Mechanics (Paris Law)
(4.3) Interaction between fatigue with corrosion and temperature
(4.4) Influence to consider the randomness in the material properties
Applications using the concepts presented above
(5) Dynamic-Fracture Mechanics
(5.1) Elasto-dynamic fundaments
(5.2) Volumetric, surface and guided elastic waves
(5.3) Crack velocity in instable propagation
(5.4) Fracture mechanics parameters in dynamic problems
(5.5) Branching phenomena
Applications using the concepts presented above
(6) Numerical methods applied in fracture mechanics and fatigue
(6.1) The Finite element method
(6.2) The Discrete element method (peridynamic)
Applications using the concepts presented above
(7) Methods to detect damage based on the wave propagation in solids
(7.1) Methods of detection based on ultra-sound wave
(7.2) Acoustical emission methods
Applications using the concepts presented above
Bibliography
- Anderson T.L. Fracture mechanics: fundamentals and applications. CRC press (2005).
- Gdoutos E. Fracture Mechanics: an introduction, Kluwer Academic Publishers (1993).
Teaching methods
The Course consists of theoretical lectures and practical exercises.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final test consists of a oral test which, on the topics listed at points (1) - (7) of Section "Contents", is weighted as follows:
- 40% questions on theoretical concepts (theoretical skill);
- 10% ability to present scientific topics with the right technical words (communication skill);
- 50% student involvement in the activities performed in classroom (practical skill).
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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