Fracture Mechanics in Design Guidance and Practice

Abstract

This paper describes the state of the art in design codes and guidance using fracture mechanics. In Germany, a railroad accident occurred in June, 1998, which resulted in about 100 passenger deaths due to a wheel fracture. In September, 1999, a water leak accident due to a crack in a pipe happened at the Tsuruga nuclear plant in Japan. Such serious accidents are the result of fracture events. Fracture mechanics is thought to be a tool to avoid such catastrophic fracture accidents. The state of the art in designing mechanical components or structures applying fracture mechanics was reviewed. The American Society of Mechanical Engineer, the Japanese Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Japanese Welding Society, and the Japanese Industrial Standard were mainly surveyed. This report suggests that a more consideration of fracture mechanics in the design codes and guidance is needed for avoiding fracture accidents in components or structures.