Fracture Control Planning - Prerequisite to Structural Reliability

An engineer-user point of view supporting the desirability of rational fracture control planning in critical structural designs is presented. The impending need for its consideration in future truck frame design is cited as an example. A general discussion of applicable fracture mechanics and fracture planning concepts is given. The application of these principles in the formulation of a fracture control philosophy for selection of steel for heavy truck frame fabrication is discussed. Data obtained from appropriate fracture tests of several truck frame steel compositions are given for exemplary purposes.