Features the latest trends in fracture mechanics research from the world's leading scientists and engineers in the field. In addition to a comprehensive four decade review of merging fatigue and fracture mechanics concepts, there are 36 papers that cover the following areas:

General Topics -- 7 papers cover areas ranging from fiber surface treatment and high-temperature equipment tests and analysis procedures,to noninvasive evaluation techniques for pressure vessels used in space programs.

Constraint Effects -- Constraint effects on transition regime and upper shelf fracture toughness of structural alloys are examined in 8 papers.

Technology and Applications of Fatigue -- 4 papers focus on ground vehicle design, railway components and cannon components applications. 3 papers explore numerous types of fatigue behavior.

Weld Applications -- Complexities such as weld in homogeneities, weld/base metal strength mismatch, residual stresses and irregular flaws at welds are discussed in 6 papers.

Fracture Analysis -- 8 papers address computational and experimental analysis of fracture for application to a variety of materials and structural components.