Research Group: Fracture and Fatigue of Materials

Overview

The Fracture and Fatigue research group, headed by Prof David Taylor, studies failure processes in materials and the prediction of failure in engineering components. Areas of particular interest are the application of advanced fracture mechanics concepts, such as the Theory of Critical Distances, and the study of biological tissues and biomaterials.

Leader(s)

• Prof. David Taylor

Research Projects

• Applications of the Theory of Critical Distances
• Fatigue properties of notches with treated surfaces
• Fatigue in PMMA bone cement
• Indentation and cutting of bone
• Microdamage in bone
• Bone strength and DEXA imagings
• An interdisciplinary biomechanical investigation of insect cuticle

Current Research Staff and Students

Facilities

Mechanical Testing:

• 3 Instron servo-hydraulic testing machines
• 3 Instron screw-driven tensile testing machines
• 1 MTS Tytron electromagnetic testing machine
• Hardness testing machines (macro, micro and nano)
• Charpy/Izod impact tester

Microscopy:

• Optical microscopes and metallography facilities

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