Fracture Mechanics
The field of research called fracture mechanics is aiming at quantifying the risk of fracture in components and structures containing defects. The mathematical equations relates the measured material fracture toughness with the applied load and defect size, hence offering a quantitative link between defect inspection, materials technology and design.
The main goal for SINTEF is to continuously improve the procedures for fracture mechanics testing and engineering critical assessment analysis. We find it important to implement our knowledge in the industry and to develop more accurate and simplified assessments methods that can be used as effective tools.
Our strength is:
- A well-equipped laboratory, where everything from standardized small scale testing to full scale verifications testing can be performed.
- High capacity and quality of numerical simulations. Numerical simulations offer a unique possibility to quantify and examine the relationship between microstructure related material properties and the mechanical behaviour and is therefore a central element in the research activities.
- A large group of experts within fracture mechanics that also includes professors from NTNU, makes SINTEF to an attractive research partner for the industry. SINTEF performs also a lot of standardized fracture mechanics testing and analysis in qualification projects. The main argument from the industry for going to SINTEF with these kinds of activities is quality combined with expert advices. Expert advices are invaluable when the results are below or on the edge of the requirements of the specifications.
Applications:
- Engineering critical assessment (qualification) of offshore pipelines
Research Manager Bård Nyhus, phone (+47) 98 23 04 33