In this presentation, the historical and analytical context of the development of what is now known as ‘Fracture Mechanics’ are selectively developed.  The starting point is from safety and economic considerations.   The essential efforts, over many centuries, to be able to predict the progression of damage and final fracture are reviewed and discussed.  The essential contributions of some of the key figures such as Hammurabi (Mesopotamia), Charpy (France), Wohler (Germany), Inglis (England), Griffith (England), Irwin (USA), Paris (USA) are pointed out.  The inter-dependent nature of these contributions is pointed out.  The essential and brilliant integrating efforts of Dr. George Irwin to define the field we now know as Fracture Mechanics are emphasized.  Some thoughts on unmet needs and new directions conclude the presentation.

Biography

Dr. Antolovich received his BS and MS from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and his Ph.D. from the University of California (Berkeley).  He is currently Professor Emeritus of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Washington State University (WSU) and at Georgia Tech.  He was the Founding Director of the School of Materials Engineering at Georgia Tech and served as Director, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, at Washington State University.  He held the Lindholm Chair of Materials Science at WSU and held Professorial appointments at Ecole des Mines, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Université de Technologie de Compiegne, and Université de Paris in France for teaching, research and student advisement over more than thirty-five years. 

His major research interests are in fracture mechanics, the physics of deformation and fatigue mechanisms, and fatigue high temperatures.  He has made numerous presentations to learned societies, universities, national laboratories and industrial organizations in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Korea, and Japan and published widely in international journals and conferences.  He carried out funded research and consultation for numerous national and international government agencies and companies.   He has been the recipient of international research awards and is a Fellow Member of ASME, ASM, and recognized as ‘Academician of ICF’.

Received teaching awards at the University of Cincinnati and WSU and was named Outstanding Faculty Member by the Georgia Tech Graduate Student Senate.

Seminar  Times: Wednesday,    November 8,  3:30 pm ARMS 1010 MSE 390/MSE 690  

      Tuesday,          November 7,  3:00 pm ARMS 1103 MSE 597

      Wednesday,    November 8,  9:30  am ARMS 3115 MSE 556