ABSTRACT
This paper describes the use of a fracture simulation system which is the heart of a graduate course in engineering fracture mechanics, and a basis for graduate research in a variety of areas of linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics at Cornell University. The simulation system, the FRacture ANalysis Code (FRANC), runs on an engineering workstation platform. It is highly interactive, and performs geometrical modeling, stress analysis, fracture mechanics, and visualization functions in an integrated manner. FRANC is used:
• To illuminate, in a self-paced manner, many of the fundamental concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and elastoplastic fracture mechanics (EPFM);
• As a stress intensity factor and crack growth rate calculator for problems in critical and subcritical crack growth;
• To illustrate the capabilities and shortcomings of modern numerical methods for fracture analyses; and
2 Course Pedagogy
2.1 Course Objectives
The principal objective of the course, taught in the School of Civil Engineering, is to prepare students for work in fracture and fatigue during their thesis research and as practicing engineers. The course is complementary to another, taught in the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, which emphasizes fundamental and advanced theories of LEFM and EPFM. A student ideally leaves the course with practical knowledge and experience in solving many types of crack propagation problems in LEFM, a limited number in nonlinear fracture mechanics, and familiarity with ASTM standard fracture toughness testing procedures.
