Analytical Fracture Mechanics

• Crack driving force (static and dynamic)
  
  • elastic
    
  • elastic-plastic
    
  • elastic-viscoplastic
    

• Crack growth prediction in structures and components
  
  • stable-tearing/instability
    
  • dynamic crack initiation/growth/arrest
    
  • fatigue (including weld, notch, spectrum, and block loading effects)
    
  • environmentally assisted cracking
    
  • creep crack growth
    
  • creep-fatigue crack growth
    
  • simulation/optimization of proof testing
    

• Applications
  
  • airframe/aerospace structures
    
  • gas turbines
    
  • steam turbines/electric generators
    
  • pressure vessels
    
  • CNG/LNG storage
    
  • offshore structures
    
  • petrochemical components
    

Experimental Fracture Mechanics

• Fracture toughness
  
  • static (K_IC, J_IC)
    
  • dynamic ( K_ID, K_id to K=10⁶MPa m^1/2/s
    
  • arrest ( K_IA, K_Ia)
    
  • stable tearing (K- and J-resistance curves)
    

• Subcritical crack growth
  
  • fatigue/corrosion-fatigue
    
  • environmentally assisted (K_Iscc)
    
  • stress corrosion
    
  • creep
    
  • creep-fatigue
    

For more information on materials and structures, contact Dr. Ben H. Thacker, Mechanical Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-3896, Fax (210) 522-6965.

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