KNOWLEDGE-BASED MODELING OF FRACTURE OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES

Knowledge-based systems may be very useful, as shown in this publication, for determining the fracture characteristics of materials and structures. Such values as stress intensity, crack length, critical crack length, critical load-carrying capacity, etc. can be found easily and automatically by specifying relatively few items, such as material, geometry and loads. In addition, valuable information can be provided to NDE investigators. Although this research is in its infancy, valuable results have already been found which help in forecasting promising avenues of research in the development of knowledge-based systems. Also, if developed satisfactorily, future handbooks may take a major turn in drawing upon black box capabilities of knowledge-based systems.