Prediction of Service Life for Machines and Structures

This book is highly recommended by the reviewer for persons working in the solid mechanics and material science and engineering areas. Many basic approaches and methods outlined in the book are commonly used in design as well as basic research. A systematic description of the theories leading to the prediction of the durability and lifetime of machines and structures is given. In particular, the following topics are discussed in detail: reliability theory of machines and structures, semi-empirical models for damage accumulation, prediction of structural service life at the design stage, prediction of safety and risk indexes, prediction of residual service life and mechanics of fatigue failure. Some background is needed to clearly understand the approach and results described in this book. For instance, a background in fatigue and fracture mechanics is needed to appreciate the content of Chapters 3 and 4, where the CoffinManson law for low-cycle fatigue and the Paris formula for crack propagation under fatigue are used as examples to employ the models. A knowledge of statistics is also preferred by the author. Chapters 2, 5, and 6 have a heavy involvement with probability theory. The papers and results quoted in this book are mainly from the Russian literature. This may not be convenient when checking some of the original results and ideas.