Approach Based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics

4 Approach Based on Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics 

This approach is useful for brittle materials such as ceramics. In it, it is assumed that the material contains flaws, which is the case for any real material. It also assumes that fracture is depended on three factors, viz., the fracture toughness, stress intensity factor, and flaw size. 

Fracture takes place after crack initiation and its propagation. If the criteria and the characteristics of these two steps are available, then fracture mechanics can be based on them. These are obtained from the following  

This approach is still evolving. A combination of all four approaches will be needed in the selection of a material, deciding its configuration, prediction of life, and determining the reliability. This is called the combined approach. 

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