Many engineering structures and components contain cracks or crack-like flaws and it is widely recognized that crack growth must be considered both in the design and analysis of failures. The complete solution of a crack growth problem, therefore, includes determination of the crack path. At present, the factors controlling the path taken by a propagating crack are not completely understood. In general, crack paths are difficult to predict, while in practice their development in structures is often determined by large-scale structural tests. In introductory texts on fracture mechanics, it is usually assumed that the crack path is known, either from theoretical considerations or from the results of laboratory tests.

A great amount of published information on crack paths exists, but this is scattered and often incomplete. This book provides an accessible state-of-the-art survey, with major themes presented in as unified a manner as possible.

...well-written book authored by a leading authority... Crack Paths will be of interest to researchers envolved with the specific problem of predicting the direction of crack growth under static or cyclic loading, as well as to a more general audience of fatigue and fracture practitioners who desire a broad introduction to the literature on this important subject.

Applied Mechanics Reviews, .