Abstract
The failure of structural elements may occur in different ways. The ultimate loading condition may be accompanied by plastic flow of the element, slow crack growth and/or fast crack propagation, depending on material strength, ductility and toughness as well as on structural size-scale. Initially uncracked elements of brittle material may reach their maximum loading capacity with a sudden crack formation and uncontrollable crack propagation, whereas cracked elements of ductile material may reach their ultimate condition with the progressive formation of a plastic hinge at the ligament. On the other hand, slow crack growth and plastic deformation can terminate with a rapid crack propagation.
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