This textbook introduces the thermodynamics of irreversible processes to address the time dependency of fracture. It identifies principal structural failure types such as brittle damage and ductile failure and covers the life of a structure in a specific environment and load condition, addressing cooperative and solo fracture.

This textbook introduces the thermodynamics of irreversible processes to address the time dependency of fracture. It identifies principal structural failure types such as brittle damage and ductile failure and covers the life of a structure in a specific environment and load condition, addressing cooperative and solo fracture.