Fracture Mechanics based Characterization of Materials for Structural Integrity Assessment

For health monitoring of structural components as per current codes for structural integrity assessment, it is imperative that characterization of the stability and growth of flaws be carried out. In this talk, a background of the necessity and the basics of fracture mechanics based quantification of resistance of materials will be presented. Failure, more often than not, ensues through the process of fracture. The process of fracture entails the initiation of a defect, which is called a crack as it approaches measureable dimensions. The crack further grows under service conditions of stress and environment, to ultimately result in total disintegration of a component or structure.