KIM, Jeong-Ho
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT - USA
jhkim@engr.uconn.edu

PAULINO, Glaucio H.
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois - USA
paulino@uiuc.edu

Abstract
Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are characterized by spatially varied microstructures accomplished through nonuniform distribution of the reinforcement phase with different properties, sizes and shapes, as well as by interchanging the roles of reinforcement and matrix (base) materials in a continuous manner. This new concept of engineering the material's microstructure marks the beginning of a paradigm shift in the way we think about materials and structures as it allows one, due to recent advances in material processing science, to fully integrate material and structural design considerations. Some applications requiring (ultra-)high material performance include thermal barrier coatings, bone and dental implants, piezoelectric and thermoelectric devices, graded cementitious materials, and optical materials with graded refractive indices. New applications are continuously being discovered. This symposium addresses several aspects of fracture of FGMs including a balance amongst theoretical, computational, manufacturing and experimental techniques. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, linear and non-linear fracture mechanics, constraint effects, experimental characterization under static and dynamic loading, development of fracture criteria with predictive capability, multiphysics and multiscale (space and time) failure considerations, and connection of research with industrial applications.