Study Programmes 2015-2016
MECA0058-1  
Fracture mechanics, damage and fatigue
Duration :
30h Th, 10h Pr, 75h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS) (THRUST)5
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS) (THRUST)5
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Ludovic Noels
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The class presents the basis of fracture mechanics. Failure of structures is explained by studying the physic of materials. This behavior is then modeled analytically. Finally numerical methods applied in fracture mechanics are presented.
Subjects covered by the lectures are
  • Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM)
  • Non-linear fracture mechanics (NLFM)
  • Fatigue
  • Design approaches
  • Recent numerical approaches
Learning outcomes of the course :
Through a deep understanding of the theory and the realization of a project, the student will be able to apply numerical tools to design structures and study crack propagation problems. In particular:
  • He will have a deep understanding of fracture mechanics theories and will be able to summary, compare and explain them.
  • He will have a deep understanding of the resolution methods of fracture mechanics problems, and will be able to summary, compare and explain them. He will also know their application range.
  • He will be able to apply the resolution methods to classical problems of fracture mechanics.
  • He will be able to analyse and to evaluate (justify and criticise) these methods.
  • He will be able to analyse new problems.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Good knowledge in
  • Solid mechanics
Basic knowledge in
  • Finite-element method
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Exercises and personal project.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-Face
Recommended or required readings :
Assessment methods and criteria :
Evaluation is based on the realization of a project (30%) related to the use / development of numerical methods specific to fracture mechanics and on an written examination (70%). For the resit, if a grade of at least 10/20 has been given to the project, only the written examination will be redone.
The examination is based on the whole content of the class. Problems similar to the ones studied during the classes, and new problems will be part of the questions. Justification using the theoretical content is also asked.
Participation to the examination, to the guest lectures, and achievement of the project are mandatory.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Classes are in English and are taught during the first term.
Contacts :
Items online :
Lecture notes