The principal objective of this book is to relate the random distributions of defects and material strength on the microscopic scale with the deformation and residual strength of materials on the macroscopic scale. To reach this goal the authors considered experimental, analytical and computational models on atomic, microscopic and macroscopic scales.

This book derives from the invited IUTAM Symposium in September 1993. The contributions discuss recent advances in fracture mechanics studies of concrete, rock, ceramics and other brittle disordered materials at micro and structural levels. It draws together research and new applications in continuum, damage and fracture mechanics approaches.

This work examines problems, particularly in mining and civil engineering, related to the destruction of heterogenous materials. It details the physical mechanisms of destruction, methods of damage and fracture modelling, and the application of models to the improvement of drilling efficiency.

Since the beginning of the century the technological desire to master the fracture of metals, concrete or polymers has boosted research and has left behind an overwhelming amount of literature. In a field where it seems difficult to say anything simple and new, the editors and authors of this book have managed to do just that.The approach to fracture taken here was not conceived by mechanical engineers or material scientists. It is essentially the by-product of exciting developments that have occurred in the last ten to fifteen years within a branch of theoretical physics, called statistical physics. Concepts such as ``percolation'' and ``fractals'', as models for the properties of fracture are not often considered by engineers. A particular aim of this volume is to emphasize the fundamental role disorder plays in the breaking process.The main scope of the volume is pedagogical and is at the same time an overview of fracture mechanics for physicists and an introduction to new concepts of statistical physics for mechanics and engineers. To this end the first half of the book consists of introductory chapters and the second half contains the results that have emerged from this new approach.

Understanding of failure of quasibrittle materials is of paramount importance in many engineering fields. This subject has become a broad and important field of considerable mathematical complexity, with many competing models and unsolved problems. Attention in this volume focuses on concrete, rock, masonry, toughened ceramics, ice and other quasibrittle materials characterized by the development of large zones of cracking or other microstructural damage, and its localization into major fractures.

Sixteen papers (lectures) from the June 1989 Institute are grouped in sections covering tools, diffusion-limited aggregation model, statistical models of fracture, rheology and fracture, and materials and applications. The papers range from theoretical concepts to practical applications. Each section has a brief introduction which summarizes the links between different papers. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Creep is the tendency of materials to deform when subjected to long-term stress, particularly when exposed to heat. Fatigue phenomena occur when a material is subjected to cyclic loading, causing damage which may progress to failure. Both are critical factors in the long-term performance and reliability of materials such as polymer matrix composites which are often exposed to these types of stress in civil engineering and other applications. This important book reviews the latest research in modelling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites. The first part of the book reviews the modelling of viscoelastic and viscoplastic behaviour as a way of predicting performance and service life. Part two discusses techniques for modelling creep rupture and failure. The final part of the book discusses ways of testing and predicting long-term creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Creep and Fatigue in Polymer Matrix Composites is a standard reference for all those researching and using polymer matrix composites in such areas as civil engineering. - Reviews the latest research in modelling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites - A specific focus on viscoelestic and viscoplastic modelling features the time-temperature-age superposition principle for predicting long-term response - Creep rupture and damage interaction is examined with particular focus on time-dependent failure criteria for lifetime prediction of polymer matrix composite structures illustrated using experimental cases

Selected, peer reviewed papers from 7th International Conference on Fracture and Damage Mechanics, FDM 2008, 9-11 September, 2008, Korea