Abstract
Fracture mechanics provides a methodology which can be used in the evaluation of the integrity and safety of structural components used in nuclear power plants. In return, the nuclear industry has provided a major driving force for the development of the technology. This includes defining the direction for new developments in fracture mechanics and identifying the important problems for implementing these new developments, as well as supplying much of the financial support for research efforts. Many of the new developments in fracture mechanics throughout the past three decades were generated in response to specific needs of the nuclear industry. This paper takes a historical perspective in looking at the relationship between fracture mechanics and the nuclear industry. Individual subject areas include basic development of linear elastic fracture mechanics, developments in elastic-plastic fracture and ductile instability, testing and standards, and some of the newest problem areas.
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