Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM
Material deformation, damage and crack formation
Structural Integrity and Fracture Mechanics
We provide proof for safety, fitness of purpose and endurance of complex and highly stressed components by the use of modern fracture mechanics concepts. On this basis we develop solutions for improved component safety, optimized component design or inspection intervals together with our customers.
For the design and assessment of safety-relevant components fracture mechanics methodologies are state-of-the-art. In the presence of crack-like defects (detected or postulated), the methods of fracture mechanics provide information about the fitness of purpose of components, the remaining service life and the safety regarding an uncontrolled crack growth. Well-founded decisions about commissioning, lifetime extension, periodic inspections or the exchange of a component can be provided on this basis.
Typical industrial areas for the application of fracture mechanics are:
- Aerospace
- Plant construction
- Pressure vessels and piping systems of power plants
- Gas and steam turbines
- Pipelines
- Railway vehicles
- Steel structures, i.e. for crane and bridge construction
- Welded components
We support our customers with our competencies in material testing, numerical simulation, analytical failure assessment and failure analysis related to fracture mechanics questions. Together with our customers we develop solutions for the assessment of the safety and the remaining service lifetime of machines and plants, the extension of their service lifetime, the determination of inspection intervals, the design optimization and a safety-related material selection. Moreover, we offer support for the preparation of expert reports and represent investigation results in front of technical regulatory authorities.
Our portfolio ranges from materials characterization to safety evaluation and lifetime assessment of components with defects.
Experimental determination of fracture mechanics parameters:
- Fracture toughness, crack resistance curves, fatigue crack growth curves
- Crack resistance tests in a temperature range of about -196 °C to 600 °C in compliance with test standards such as ASTM E399, E1820, E1921, E647
- Non-standardized tests under custom specified conditions or with non-standard specimen geometries
Stress analyses:
- Of specimens and components with cracks or other defects
- Under complex thermo-mechanical constraints
- Using state-of-the-art and advanced material models
- With consideration of elastic-plastic deformation, creep and progressing damage
- Under static and cyclic loading
- Considering welding stresses
Fracture mechanics assessment:
- In accordance with specific standards such as R6, SINTAP, FITNET, BS 7910, API 579 or FKM guideline
- Using special software, for example, IWM VERB or ERWIN
- Including custom-specific software implementation (component and crack geometry, stress conditions, material properties)
- Using deterministic and probabilistic methods
Furthermore, we develop advanced solutions and evaluation concepts and consistently implement them into our calculation programs and the FKM guideline "Fracture mechanics strength assessment" co-developed by us (FKM = Forschungskuratorium Maschinenbau). Companies all over the world use the failure assessment software IWM VERB to solve fracture-mechanical problems. The optimization and the development of the software is performed in a close cooperation with our customers. Additionally, we provide training courses in fracture mechanics methods.
Contact us! Together we'll find a customized solution for the challenges you face.
- Equipment to perform fracture mechanical tests (i.e. ASTM E399, E1820, E1921 and E647) over large force and temperature ranges
- Determination of strains by use of clip-gauges or digital image correlation (DIC) for areal strain measurements