ME 499-003 Fatigue Analysis

Spring 2017

Tentative Course Syllabus

Lecture: Wednesdays
7:20p.m. to 10:00p.m.
Fairfax: Innovation Hall 333

Instructor: Dr. Mehdi Amiri

Office hour: Wednesdays

6:00p.m. to 7:10p.m.
ENGR 2248 or virtually (via Skype, Google Chat)

Email: mamirida@gmu.edu
mehdiamiri2006@gmail.com

Textbook: Recommended textbook

Fundamentals of Metal Fatigue Analysis,
J.A. Bannantine, J.J. Comer, J.L. Handrock
Prentice Hall Pub, 1990

References:
1. R.I. Stephens, A. Fatemi, R.R. Stephens and H.O. Fuchs, “Metal Fatigue in
Engineering,” 2nd Edition, John Wiley, 2001.
2. N.E. Dowling, “Mechanical behavior of materials: engineering methods for
deformation, fracture, and fatigue,” 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2006.
3. https://www.efatigue.com/

Course description:
This course is an introduction to some of the main concepts of: deformation processes
leading to fracture; linear elastic fracture mechanics and fatigue crack propagation.
Fatigue and fracture of a wide variety of materials including metals, composites,
ceramics, and biomaterials will be covered. Particular attention will be given to fatigue
analysis of metals and composites used in aerospace structures, natural biomaterials such
as bone and materials produced by additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Course Pre-requisites:
Basic knowledge of properties and behavior of engineering materials including stress-
strain relations, strength, deformation mechanisms, strength, and deformation is required.
Course outcomes:
Students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate the following outcomes
by tests, homework assignments, and projects.

1. Acquire fundamental understanding of the fatigue and fracture of solid materials.

2. Develop detailed understanding of fracture mechanics, and fatigue crack initiation
and propagation.
3. Obtain fundamental knowledge of crack propagation in engineering materials and
biomaterials.
4. Acquire basic understanding of defects and failure modes of additively
manufactured metals.
5. Acquire basic understanding of the techniques used to perform failure analysis.
6. Learn about large variety of fracture mechanisms and fracture modes associated
with failure.
7. Apply understanding to relevant case studies.

Course detail:
Introduction and brief review
 Historical Overview

Macro and Micro Aspects of Fatigue

 Fracture surfaces
 Fatigue Mechanism
o Crack nucleation
o Crack growth
o Fatigue failure

Stress-Life Analysis
 S-N Curves
 Mean Stress Effects (Goodman, Soderburg, Gerber)
 Modifying Factors (Marin)

Strain-Life Analysis
 Elastic and Plastic Strain Components
 Strain-Reversal Curves
 Life Estimates for Structural Components

Fracture Mechanics (Fatigue Crack Propagation) Analysis

 LEFM
 Fatigue Crack Growth Curves
 Relationships (Paris Power Law, Forman)
 Closure Effects, Short Cracks, Stress Raisers

Fatigue and Fracture of Biomaterials and 3D Printed Materials

 Fatigue Properties of Bone and Stress Fractures
 Causes of Fracture in Bone
 Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured (3D printing) Materials
 Fatigue of 3D Printed Metals
Tentative test dates
Midterm: March 29
Final exam: May 17

Course website
 Regularly visit the Blackboard and download the required course materials and
assignments.
 Class notes will become available on the Blackboard before each class.

Course policy:
Exams
 Open book.
 Calculator: please see the accompanying document for detail
 Students must turn in questions sheets with their answer sheets at the end of each
exam.

Homework assignments
Homework problems, which are assigned weekly, are due on the following Wednesday,
by 7:20 p.m. in Innovation Hall 333; unless otherwise instructed.

Quizzes
There will be quizzes on random dates. I will inform you a week prior to the quiz date.

Late work
Not to be accepted

Incomplete work
Will be graded accordingly

Final grade scheme

Is based on percentages of graded coursework

Homework assignments & quizzes: 30%

Midterm: 20%
Projects: 20%
Final exam: 30%

Total: 100%