This book is a spin-off from the International Journal of Fracture and collects lectures and papers presented at the 11th International Conference on Fracture (ICF11), March 20-25, 2005. Included in this volume are introductory addresses, as well as remarks on the presentation of honorary degrees. A collection of papers follows, including presentations by such eminent scientists as B.B. Mandelbrot, G.I. Barenblatt, and numerous others, reviewing advanced research in fracture.

Introduction to Fracture Mechanics presents an introduction to the origins, formulation and application of fracture mechanics for the design, safe operation and life prediction in structural materials and components. The book introduces and informs the reader on how fracture mechanics works and how it is so different from other forms of analysis that are used to characterize mechanical properties. Chapters cover foundational topics and the use of linear-elastic fracture mechanics, involving both K-based characterizing parameter and G-based energy approaches, and how to characterize the fracture toughness of materials under plane-strain and non plane-strain conditions using the notion of crack-resistance or R-curves. Other sections cover far more complex nonlinear-elastic fracture mechanics based on the use of the J-integral and the crack-tip opening displacement. These topics largely involve continuum mechanics descriptions of crack initiation, slow crack growth, eventual instability by overload fracture, and subcritical cracking.

This book is a spin-off from the International Journal of Fracture and collects lectures and papers presented at the 11th International Conference on Fracture (ICF11), March 20-25, 2005. Included in this volume are introductory addresses, as well as remarks on the presentation of honorary degrees. A collection of papers follows, including presentations by such eminent scientists as B.B. Mandelbrot, G.I. Barenblatt, and numerous others, reviewing advanced research in fracture.