Fracture mechanics
Graduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Standard syllabus · STEM / applied
Pricing
Graduate-level rates are set on consultation. See the pricing page for K–12 and undergraduate rates.
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
LEFM fundamentals
- Stress concentration versus crack tip singularity
- Griffith energy balance criterion
- Stress intensity factor K and modes I, II, III
- Westergaard solutions and superposition
- Crack tip plastic zone size estimates
- Fracture toughness K_IC testing standards
- R-curves and stable crack growth
- Mixed-mode fracture criteria
- J-integral and HRR fields (intro)
- Small-scale yielding and K validity limits
Fatigue and crack growth
- S-N and ε-N approaches for high- and low-cycle fatigue
- Crack initiation at notches and defects
- Paris law da/dN versus ΔK regimes
- Load interaction effects: overload retardation
- Variable amplitude fatigue and rainflow counting
- Fatigue limit and mean stress effects (Goodman, Gerber)
- Multiaxial fatigue criteria overview
- Corrosion fatigue and fretting fatigue
- Probabilistic fatigue life prediction intro
- Damage tolerance design philosophy in aerospace
STEM / applied
Experimental and computational fracture
- Compact tension and bend specimen testing
- Optical and compliance crack length measurement
- Digital image correlation at crack tips
- X-FEM and cohesive zone modeling in FE
- Residual stress effects on fracture
- Welded joint fatigue classification
- Pipeline and pressure vessel flaw assessment
- Failure investigation case studies
- ASME and API fracture evaluation codes awareness
- Thesis project in experimental or computational fracture
Advanced and industry applications
- Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM) survey
- Dynamic fracture and impact loading
- Composite delamination fracture mechanics
- Hydrogen embrittlement and environmental cracking
- Additive manufacturing defect tolerance
- Structural health monitoring for crack detection
- Retirement-for-cause in nuclear components
- Peer review of fracture mechanics literature
- Industry guest on aircraft damage tolerance programs
- Qualifying exam fracture mechanics preparation
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.