Fracture and Fatigue Control in Structures: Applications of Fracture Mechanics

The field of Fracture Mechanics has become the primary approach to controlling fracture and fatigue failures in structures of all types. This book introduces the field of fracture mechanics from an applications viewpoint. It focuses on fitness for service, or life extension, of existing structures as well as provides case studies to allow the practicing professional engineer or student to see the applications of fracture mechanics directly to various types of structures. Fracture and Fatigue Control in Structures will serve as an introduction to the field of fracture mechanics to practicing engineers, as well as seniors of beginning graduate students. This field has become increasingly important to the engineering community. In recent years, structural failures and the desire for increased safety and reliability of structures have led to the development of various fracture and fatigue criteria for many types of structures, including bridges, planes, pipelines, ships, buildings, pressure vessels, and nuclear pressure vessels. Dr. John Barsom is a consultant in the area of fracture mechanics, failure analysis, and accident reconstruction. He retired from USX as Research Fellow and Chief of the Materials Behavior Division. Dr. Stanley Rolfe is the Albert P. Learned Professor of Engineering at the University of Kansas and has for the past 30 years taught and conducted research on the fracture and fatigue behavior of materials.