FISCHER, F.D.
Institute of Mechanics
Montanuniversität
Leoben - Austria
KOLEDNIK, O.
Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Leoben - Austria
SIMHA, N.K.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida - USA
Abstract
Material Forces provide a convenient approach to examine the influence of inhomogeneous material properties, plastic deformation, etc. on the fracture behavior of elastic-plastic materials. Structural components such as welds and brazed joints, surface treated components like case-hardened tools, railway components such as rails and wheels, biological materials such as bones and cartilage are all examples where inhomogeneous material properties are encountered. In addition, alloys have variations in material properties due to the presence of second-phase inclusions. It shall now be presented, how the Material Forces concept allows to find the thermodynamic force at a crack tip in dependence on the type of inhomogeneity of the material or structure.
MATERIAL FORCES AND FRACTURE MECHANICS
ANALYTICAL MODELS