Local Approach to Fracture

Models allowing the prediction of the failure of structures by crack
propagation were first introduced in the 50s using linear fracture mechanics
whose principles were first proposed by Griffith (1920). This approach was
extended to non linear cases (plasticity and viscoplasticity) in the 70s based
on the work of Rice (J or C* integrals); it has been largely adopted by the
industry. However this so called global approach cannot deal with all
practical cases and cannot explain all experimental observations as, for
instance, the warm pre-stress effect (WPS).

The local approach to fracture, which relies on a fine analysis of strains,
stresses and damage of highly solicited regions (cracks, notches...) of
structures is an alternative which allows to solve problems encountered while
applying the global approach. It has been developped since the 80s in
particular in France. Important research efforts are currently undertaken in
this field in Europe (France, Germany), United States and Japan.

This book presents several aspects of the local approach to fracture: damage
mechanisms, experimental techniques, damage evolution law and failure
criteria, modelling of damage, numerical simulation.

This work is the result of a collective work carried out by the best French
specialists (Ecole des Mines de Paris, Ecole Centrale Paris, ENS Cachan,
Université de Louvain, INSA Lyon, ONERA, EDF).