scope:

INTRODUCTION

Castastrophic failure of Liberty Ships and T-2 tankers during Word War II and many ships' failures thereafter instigated extensive research into the problem of brittle fracture. Later, the failure of missiles and aircraft gave a new boost to fracture research in the late 50's and 60's. New concepts of fatigue analysis and fracture are being continuously established and refined.

American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee E-24 (Fracture Testing) is responsible for developing standard test specimens, test methods, as well as technology development in the field of fracture testing. This committee is the direct descendent of the special ASTM Committee on fracture testing which started in 1959 to search for means of characterizing the resistance of thin sheet materials to the catastrophic type of fracture which takes place without warning and at stress levels below those anticipated from the usual engineering properties.

Although far from complete, fracture mechanics now offers quantitative solutions to many crack growth and fracture problems that could not be handled two decades ago. Several areas require further refinements, but many of the limitations of the technology are due to engineering judgements associated with any technical design procedures. The application to a new area of technology usually requires some development of specific data and techniques, but most of the principles are available for use by knowledgeable engineers.

ASTM Subcommittee E24-06 is devoted to the application of fracture mechanics to real hardware, and is chartered to educate its members in the areas of fracture application. Hence the need was felt to gather some basic references in the development of fracture mechanics. The references are compiled in chronological order in three distinct stages as:

(1) Development of fracture toughness.

(2) Evaluation of stress intensity factors.

(3) Application of fracture mechanics.

Additionally, various journals devoted to the publication of fracture articles and various symposia and conferences discussing the fracture phenomena are listed.

This is a first effort by E24-06 to compile the references and undoubtedly some important references have been omitted. When these references are identified, they will, of course, be included in the compilation. Any other recommendations and suggestions for improving the compilation will also be welcomed by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of ASTM Subcommittee E24-06, Drs. C. Michael Hudson and Pir M. Toor.