[PDF] fracture mechanics multiple choice questions

What is fracture mechanics?

Fracture mechanics is the study of the influence of loading, crack size, and structural geometry on the fracture resistance of materials containing natural flaws and cracks.

Is fracture a multi-scale problem?

In terms of energy balance, the fracture problem involves external energy transferred macroscopically to the specimen that is dissipated by microscopic mechanisms at or very close to the crack tip. Thus,it is an inherently multi-scale problem. But we want to model it while staying in the realm of continuum (macroscopic) mechanics.

Is there a literature on fracture mechanics in quasi-brittle materials?

There is still developing and rich literature on fracture mechanic in "quasi--brittle" materials. One of the early and consistent researchers in the area is Zdeneck Bazant at Northwestern and numerous others around the world. You might start with ACI committee 446 on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete structures and pick up the thread from there.

How difficult is it to design against fracture in high-strength materials?

The central difficulty in designing against fracture in high-strength materials is that the presence of cracks can modify the local stresses to such an extent that the elastic stress analyses done so carefully by the designers are insufficient.