Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials-Part I: Durability and Damage Tolerance (DaDT) for Modern Aircraft & Spacecraft Systems

Understanding and harnessing various failure modes, including fatigue and fracture failure mechanisms, is vital to a successful failure analysis and design development. In fact, fracture often has been overlooked as a potential mode of failure at the expense of an overemphasis on strength.

This course benefits both engineers and designers who are interested in gaining a broader knowledge, insight, and ability toward a successful design process and development for structures and components, as well as managers interested in understanding the significance of fatigue and fracture mechanics/durability and damage tolerance as part of the design process. The course is a balanced combination of fundamentals and practical applications for aerospace products, including satellite systems and modern aircraft.

Instruction covers deformation and fatigue and fracture behavior of engineering materials for both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. It begins with an historical perspective and origin of fatigue and fracture mechanics. Examples of well- known failures and accidents attributed to fatigue and fracture are discussed. A brief overview of solid mechanics provides the necessary topics for those who might not have the necessary solid mechanics background.

The basics and foundations of fracture mechanics are then presented from stress intensity and energy method perspective, followed by high- and lowcycle fatigue, NDE, design for DaDT, inspection and maintenance philosophy, test methods, techniques, and ASTM standards. Both microscopic and macroscopic aspects of deformation and  fracture mechanics of engineering materials are covered.