SEDL / STP / STP624-EB / STP27039S

Fracture Mechanics and the Need for Quantitative Nondestructive Measurements

Wessel, ET
Manager, Mechanics of Materials, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Research and Development Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Pages: 26    Published: Jan 1977

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Abstract

Fracture mechanics technology provides a modern, systems-type, engineering approach for dealing with all of the factors involved in structural reliability. The relationships between material properties, stresses, defects, nondestructive inspection, fabrication, and structural performance requirements can be analyzed and their combined effect on structural integrity can be determined. The philosophy and general approaches for applying the technology are described. Emphasis is devoted to illustrating the vital role of nondestructive inspection in the utilization of fracture mechanics technology, and the need for quantitative nondestructive measurements is described.