This fourth edition of Fracture Mechanics offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the fundamental principles and applications of fracture mechanics and micromechanics, making it an essential resource for advanced students, researchers, and engineering practitioners alike. Building on its successful previous editions, the book presents core concepts and analytical and numerical methods in a clear and structured manner, covering key topics such as linear and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics, creep and dynamic fracture, as well as the fundamentals of micromechanics and homogenization. With its self-contained approach, it also revisits the necessary continuum mechanical foundations and classical failure hypotheses, enabling readers to develop a solid theoretical understanding for tackling real-world problems. Thoroughly revised and expanded, this new edition incorporates important recent developments, including enhanced coverage of crack tip plasticity under cyclic loading and modern fracture criteria, ensuring its continued relevance as a trusted reference in the field.

Includes modern approaches such as the hybrid criterion of finite fracture mechanics, extending beyond previous editions Expanded treatment of crack tip plasticity under cyclic loading, addressing real-world applications Thoroughly revised and updated content to reflect recent developments in fracture mechanics

Autorentext

Dietmar Gross studied Applied Mechanics and received his Engineering Diploma and Doctor of Engineering degree at the University of Rostock. He was Research Associate at the University of Stuttgart and since 1976 he is Professor of Mechanics at the Technische Universität Darmstadt. His research interests are mainly focused on modern solid mechanics including fracture processes on the macro and micro scale and the modeling of advanced materials.

Thomas Seelig studied Mechanics and received his PhD at TU Darmstadt. He spent some years as a researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials in Freiburg and since 2009 is Professor of Mechanics at Karlsruhe University. His research field is solid mechanics with an emphasis on fracture and micromechanics. His work has been concerned with the numerical simulation of dynamic fracture processes and currently focuses on the deformation and failure behaviour of polymer blends and composites.

Inhalt

1.Elements of solid mechanics.- 2.Classical fracture and failure hypotheses.- 3.Micro and macro phenomena of fracture.- 4.Linear fracture mechanics.- 5.Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics.