E – 1574 Prevention and Control of Fracture in Metal Structures

This course is about characterizing the fracture behavior of sharply notched structural members. Cracks initiation, growth, and propagation are discussed. Also, the fundamental concepts of linear-elastic fracture mechanics are used to evaluate the extent of damage and whether or not it can be sustained by a structural member. In this context, different fracture criteria are outlined as well as examples of their use, and fracture control plans are presented.
Upon completion of this course, the engineer will be aware about different kinds of cracks that develop in metal structures and will be able to distinguish between a stable and unstable crack. Based on the approaches presented in this course, the engineer will be able to prioritize different cracked members in a structure for repairs in terms of the extent of damage in each member.