Individual Learning Package in Failure Analysis

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Individual learning package in failure analysis through industrial case studies

Awarded to: Neil James

Institution: University of Plymouth

Funded in: 2001

This project was funded in March 2001 to develop an interactive learning package illustrating a number of applications of some techniques widely used in industrial failure analysis, e.g. metallography, fractography and simple fracture mechanics. The examples within the package have been chosen and presented so as to guide the learner through the analytical steps and thought processes used in solving such problems.

Neil chose about 10 failures from more than 120 examples with which he has been involved over the last 16 years. These particular examples were chosen to illustrate unusual, interesting or potentially misleading aspects of failure investigation, often in the context of the impact of engineering decisions on litigation, insurance claims, assessment of responsibility, and design/manufacturing modifications. They have been made available on the internet for student-centred interactive learning with appropriate multi-media support.

The following case studies are available:

• Failure of wire rope on a crane under uncertain loading conditions.
• Failure of an aluminium aircraft towbar during use.
• Failure of the main undercarriage leg mountings on a crop duster aircraft during landing.
• Proving hail damage to polycarbonate roofing sheets.
• Fractography Resouce - Interpretation of fractographic features in metals.

For further details about the project, please Contact the Centre.