Theoretical calculations on undefected nanoscale materials predict impressive mechanical properties. In this review we summarize the status of experimental efforts to directly measure the fracture strengths of inorganic and carbon nanotubes and discuss possible explanations for the deviations between the predicted and observed values. We also summarize the role of theory in understanding the mo...

Consideration of fracture mechanics reliability during the design process can assist in the prevention of failures of structural and mechanical components subject to fluctuating loads in service. Explicit consideration of the reliability of structural and mechanical components provides the means to evaluate alternate designs and to ensure that specified risk levels are met. Probabilistic fractu...

Reader's comments on an earlier draft, prepared in consultation with J. W. Hutchinson, C. F. Shih, and the ASME/AMD Technical Committee on Fracture Mechanics, provided by A. S. Argon, S. N. Atluri, J. L. Bassani, Z. P. Bazant, S. Das, G. J. Dvorak, L. B. Freund, D. A. Glasgow, M. F. Kanninen, W. G. Knauss, D. Krajcinovic, J D. Landes, H. Liebowitz, H. I. McHenry, R. O. Ritchie, R. A. Schapery, ...

In this paper, extensive three-dimensional finite element analysis is conducted to study an asymmetric four-point shear (AFPS) specimen: a widely used mixed-mode I/II fracture test specimen. Complete solutions of mechanics parameters KI, KII, KIII, T11, and T33 have been obtained for wide range a/W t/W geometry combinations. It demonstrated that the thickness specimen has significant effect on ...

OBJECTIVES To develop a technique for automatic inflation of a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon, with continuous measurement of the balloon pressure and volume; to validate the technique for determining the mechanical characteristics of coronary arteries. METHODS During necropsy examination of the hearts of nine patients, 17 coronary artery samples were obtained f...

Tensile armour wires provide a resistance to longitudinal stresses. Flexible pipe manufacturers need to know the effect of defects such as scratches and cracks, with dimensions less than 0.2mm which is the limit of the current nondestructive detection technology, on the fracture stress and fracture strain of the wire for quality assurance purposes. Recent research involving the determination of...

This paper describes the fracture mechanics approach behind the water pressure ‘blow-off test for characterising the failure behaviour of composite repairs on steel tubes. The technique enables the fracture toughness of the metal/composite interface to be determined at the point where failure initiates. Surprisingly the values found for the interfacial fracture toughness are typically an order ...

Fracture mechanics is a field of solid mechanics interested with the behaviour of materials under certain loads their distribution and finally the fracture criteria of given materials.This Paper evaluates size dependency of fracture parameters, fracture energy (Gf) and fracture process zone effective length (Cf) of concrete concluded as per Bazant’s size effect method. Fracture mechanics standa...

A review is given of the analogous dependence on reciprocal square root of grain size or crack size of fracture strength measurements reported for steel and other potentially brittle materials. The two dependencies have much in common. For onset of cleavage in steel, attention is focused on relationship of the essentially athermal fracture stress compared with a quite different viscoplastic yie...

Delamination of prestressed thin films on thick substrates is analysed accounting for plastic dissipation in either the substrate or film. Emphasis is on large scale yielding wherein the height of the plastic zone at the propagating interface crack tip is comparable to the film thickness. Such conditions are common for both metal and polymer thin films on elastic substrates or for ceramic coati...