The science of fracture design is a very broad topic and complex topic. I will endeavor to cover the general parameters that have an impact on a material’s fracture properties. I will list the necessary HTML "specials" after each paragraph. Fortunately for the visualization group, I have the capacity to "scan in" my own equations using Mathematica 3.0. Currently I am planning to subdivide the discussion of fracture design into 4 subcatagories.

The first subdivision will cover the generalities of designing for or against fracture. This subdivision should cover topics like shot peening, case hardening, and alloying. I plan to include a number of equations that describing fracture in this section. I will also include a short table of materials with their name, tensile or bend strength and K1c values for reference. Requires a table

I would like to use two real life examples of how fracture design can be used in material science. One example should demonstrate an application where a material was selected or designed not to fracture. The second example should demonstrate an need for a material to fracture. Aluminum bike frames may be a classic and simple example of how parts are designed not to fracture. One of the reasons aluminum bike frames are extra thick is to compensate for aluminum’s lack of a fatigue limit. I am considering using ballistic armor applications to demonstrate a need for a material to fracture. Requires 2 scanned images

I expect to have an entire web page devoted to how geometrical properties of a monolithic piece can effect fracture and crack propagation. I would like to enlist the aid of the numerical group to create a simple FEA model that would demonstrate what effects geometrical discontinuities have on a piece of material. In addition I would like to include the equations corresponding to this type of fracture design and a few sample problems demonstrating how to use the equations. Requires an simple FEA model and maybe two scanned images.