Today, multi-functional materials such as piezoelectric/ferroelectric ceramics, magneto-strictive and shape memory alloys are gaining increasing applications as sensors, actuators or smart composite materials systems for emerging high tech areas. The stable performance and reliability of these smart components under complex service loads is of paramount practical importance. However, most multi-functional materials suffer from various mechanical and/or electro-magnetical degra-dation mechanisms as fatigue, damage and fracture. Therefore, this exciting topic has become a challenge to intensive...

Today, multi-functional materials such as piezoelectric/ferroelectric ceramics, magneto-strictive and shape memory alloys are gaining increasing applications as sensors, actuators or smart composite materials systems for emerging high tech areas. The stable performance and reliability of these smart components under complex service loads is of paramount practical importance. However, most multi-functional materials suffer from various mechanical and/or electro-magnetical degra-dation mechanisms as fatigue, damage and fracture. Therefore, this exciting topic has become a challenge to intensive...

This book reviews core concepts of fracture mechanics including special techniques for FEM analysis of crack problems. Covers all kinds of static, dynamic and fatigue fracture problems in two- and three-dimensional elastic and plastic structural components.

This book reviews core concepts of fracture mechanics including special techniques for FEM analysis of crack problems. Covers all kinds of static, dynamic and fatigue fracture problems in two- and three-dimensional elastic and plastic structural components.