Theoretical treatments of fracture mechanics abound in the literature. Among the first books to address this vital topic from an applied standpoint was the first edition of Practical Fracture Mechanics in Design. Completely updated and expanded to reflect recent developments in the field, the second edition of this valuable reference concisely reviews all of the fracture modes and design methodologies needed for control and prevention of structural failures in mechanical components.
Practical Fracture Mechanics in Design, Second Edition begins with the historical development of the field, which is critical in understanding the origins and purpose of the various methodologies and equations. The book goes on to provide the fundamentals, basic formulas, elementary worked examples, and references with an emphasis on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The author also includes case studies and design problems to clarify the concepts and explain their application. New chapters cover experimental methods in fracture, fracture of composite materials, dynamic fracture, and post mortem analysis of fracture surfaces.
Providing much more than a simple introduction to fracture mechanics, this critical, authoritative guide supplies easy-to-use and understand tools based on hands-on experience in design, emphasizing practical applications over heavily theoretical, rigorous mathematical derivations.
Arun Shukla is the Simon Ostrach Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island, USA, where his research focuses on experimental mechanics, fracture mechanics, dynamic failure, and shock wave phenomena. After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1981, Dr Shukla has built a distinguished career marked by numerous accolades and leadership roles. A Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM), the American Academy of Mechanics, and the Shock Wave Society, India, Dr Shukla was also elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in 2011 and the Russian Academy of Engineering in 2015. Among his many prestigious awards are the ASME Drucker Medal (2023), the SEM Theocaris Award (2023), the M.M. Frocht Award, and the B.J. Lazan Award. Beyond his research contributions, Dr Shukla served as President of SEM in 2003 and has held distinguished visiting professorships at the California Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Science, and IIT Kanpur. With over 450 papers published in refereed journals and proceedings, along with 10 authored or edited books, his impact on the field continues to be substantial.
