Failure of Structural Materials

Core content

The course will provide a basic understanding of the way in which stresses and strains develop in engineering components. Methods of determining stresses will be explained. From knowledge of stress distributions, criteria will be developed which determine the failure of engineering components.

The study of failure will include instability, yield, brittle fracture and fatigue. The use of fracture will be treated in some depth. The mechanics of fibre-reinforced composite materials will also be discussed.

Who should attend This course is appropriate to officers and civilians in the MOD, research establishments and industry who need to have an understanding of the failure of structural materials in their work which includes research, design, development or production.