Fracture Mechanics provides the theory for a mechanics-based engineering approach to understanding how engineering materials and structures fail from initiation and propagation of crack-like defects. This is particularly relevant to fusion welded materials and structures. This talk will briefly introduce the fracture mechanics concepts relevant to fracture toughness testing of metallic materials with practical application to assessing defects in fusion welded joints. Fracture mechanics can also be used to predict the fatigue crack propagation life of welded joint behavior using fatigue crack growth rate test data. The fatigue behavior of Stress-Life (S-N) curve performance of welded joints can be predicted using fracture mechanics crack propagation analysis methods recommended in BS 7910 and can be applied for assessment of fatigue life of welded steel structures subject to cyclic loading.

Biography of Speaker

PANG Hock Lye, John is a Professor at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He received his PhD degree in 1989 from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. He then worked at the Structural Integrity Department of TWI (The Welding Institute) and joined NTU in 1990. His research interests are in structural integrity and failure analysis of welded joints. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (FASME) and serves in the Editorial Advisory Board of the International Journal of Fatigue.