Course Details
Course Information Package
Course Unit Title | FRACTURE MECHANICS AND APPLICATIONS | ||||||||
Course Unit Code | CES525 | ||||||||
Course Unit Details | MSc Structural Engineering (Required Courses) - | ||||||||
Number of ECTS credits allocated | 7 | ||||||||
Learning Outcomes of the course unit | By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
| ||||||||
Mode of Delivery | Face-to-face | ||||||||
Prerequisites | NONE | Co-requisites | NONE | ||||||
Recommended optional program components | Introduction to Fracture Mechanics: Analyse the concept of categorization of engineering materials: brittle, ductile and quasi-brittle. Explain the fundamental concepts of Energy-based failure theory and describe the correlation between cracks and stresses. LEFM: Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics: Explain the limits of applicability of LEFM. Describe the Griffith’s theory of brittle fracture and the Irwin’s theory of brittle fracture and also analyse the possible modes of failure. Provide the fundamental idea and concept of Stress Intensity Factor (K) and describe methods for evaluating SIF. Moreover, the concept of the Critical Stress Intensity Factor or Fracture Toughness (KIc) will be analysed, and explain the correlation between Griffith’s and Irwin’s failure criteria. Finally, the Barenblatt’s cohesive crack model will be introduced. FPZ: Fracture Process Zone: Explain the tension softening behaviour of certain materials, describe and explain the mechanisms responsible for the development and the size of FPZ. Analyse the concept of FPZ of cement-based materials and explain the size-effect on concrete strength, based on the FPZ concept. NLFM: Non-Linear Fracture Mechanics: Explain the limits of applicability of NLFM. Analyse the principles of the Fictitious Crack Model (FCM) and describe the concept and methods of calculation of the Specific Fracture Energy (GF). In addition, describe the concept and methods of calculation of the Characteristic Length (lch) and analyse the principles of the Crack Band Model (CBM). Finally, explain which Fracture parameters are required for the application of the NLFM. Analyse the approximate nonlinear fracture models. Describe test methods for the determination of fracture parameters and the determination of the tension softening response of concrete. Fracture Mechanics Applications to Engineering Problems: Describe how Fracture Mechanics principles are applied in metallic, ceramic and cement-based materials and structures and present relevant applications. | ||||||||
Course Contents | |||||||||
Recommended and/or required reading: | |||||||||
Textbooks |
| ||||||||
References |
| ||||||||
Planned learning activities and teaching methods | The course is delivered through theoretical lectures in class. The lectures present to the student the course content and allow for questions. Part of the material is presented using visual aids. The aim is to familiarize the student with the different and faster pace of presentation and also allow the instructor to present related material (photographs, videos, etc.). The learning process is enhanced with the requirement from the student to solve relevant examples. Besides from the notes taken by students in class, all of the course material is available through the class website and also through e-learning platform. Finally the instructor is available to students during office hours or by appointment in order to provide any necessary tutoring. | ||||||||
Assessment methods and criteria |
| ||||||||
Language of instruction | English | ||||||||
Work placement(s) | NO |