REVIEW OF FRACTURE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY IN THE NAVY

This report is a review of the methodology currently used for application of fracture control technology in the design, construction and operation of naval ships and submarines. Fracture control technology is defined as the coordinated technologies to deal with the phenomena of crack initiation, crack propagation and fracture, including effects of hostile environments and spectrum loading. A distinction is drawn between fracture control, as defined in this manner, and structural integrity, which involves all aspects of ship and submarine design, including all of the fitness for service considerations. There are essentially two non-competing approaches to prevention of cracking problems: (1) the safe-metal approach, which is used for most naval applications, depends on the inherent resistance of materials to crack initiation and growth to prevent serious problems, and (2) the analytical approach based on fracture mechanics provides the capability for detailed, analytical consideration of crack growth and structural failure when the application demands its use. Included in this report are a summary of the current Navy philosophy for applying either or both of the methodologies, an assessment of the problems inherent with each and recommendations for establishing formal fracture control plans when the application warrants their use. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Naval Research Laboratory

  4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20375-5320
• Authors:
  • Judy, RWJ
  • Crooker, T W
  • Beach, J E
  • Hauser, J A
  • Corrado, J A
• Publication Date: 1980-2-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 27 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Failure; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fracture mechanics; Metals; Military vessels; Preventive maintenance; Safety; Ship structural components; Strength of materials; Structural mechanics; Structural steel
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crack initiation; Crack propagation; Structural failures
• Old TRIS Terms: Crack formation prevention; Resistance
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00317628
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NRL-MR-4170 Final Rpt., AD-E000-379
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1980 12:00AM