Course syllabus

Brottmekanik, fortsättningskurs
Fracture Mechanics, Advanced Course

FHL090, 7,5 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2013/14
Decided by: Education Board E
Date of Decision: 2013-04-17

General Information

Elective for: F4, M4-bem, Pi4
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

The purpose of the education is to provide the need for fracture mechanical competence to judge risk for failure and to compute stiffness reductions due to cracks. The aim is that the student should gain knowledge of linear and non-linear fracture mechanics and to serve as an industrial resource with the ability to analyze failures, suggest models for calculation and suggest structural improvement of engineering structures.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• understand and be able to explain basic fracture mechanical concepts and have knowledge of ongoing fracture mechanical research.
• understand the principles behind the derivation of the most common fracture mechanical theories focusing on judgement of risk of failure.
• be able to explain stress intensity factors and J-integral methods.
• be able to explain the foundation of non-linear fracture mechanics.
• be able to propose engineering solutions that increase the reliability of a structure regarding risk of fracture and fatigue.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate knowledge of a quality sufficient for participation in a research and advanced development project in fracture mechanical or similar projects.
• be able to examine, identify and analyze the mode of failure given a fractured structure or structural member and be able to propose a structural improvement or modification of an existing structure.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• understand the possibilities and limitations of different fracture mechanical models.

Contents

Crack tip solutions, displacements of fracture surfaces. Stress and strain fields and path-independent integrals. Basic tensor algebra. Concepts of dissipated energy, stiffness reduction and compleance methods. Materials testing, test specimens for fracture mechanical testing. Limits of linear fracture mechanics, stress intensity factors and fracture toughness. Fatigue, Paris' law and stress corrosion laws. Non-linear fracture mechanical concepts and fracture restance curves.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: Education is given as lectures, seminars, supervised training and self studies. The primary aim of the teaching is to encourage and support the student's self studies. Emphasis is put on the selection of models and the execution of calculations. Written examination. The grade is given for the entire course. The grades are: not passed (0) and passed (3 to 5).

Admission

Required prior knowledge: FHL013 Solid Mechanics, Basic Course or FHLA01 Solid Mechanics, Basic Course or FHL105 Solid Mechanics, Basic Course.
The number of participants is limited to: No

Reading list

• Fred Nilsson, Fracture Mechanics - from Theory to Application, Dept. of Solid Mechanics, KTH, 2001. ISBN 91-972860-3-6.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Professor Per Ståhle, Per.Stahle@solid.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.solid.lth.se