Introduction to Thermodynamics of Mechanical Fatigue

Fatigue is probabilistic in nature and involves a complex spectrum of loading history with variable amplitudes and frequencies. Yet most available fatigue failure prediction methods are empirical and concentrate on very specific types of loading. Taking a different approach, this book provides a concise description of processes involving mechanical fatigue from the thermodynamics point of view. Drawing on recent cutting-edge research and development, the authors present an introduction to a unified entropic approach to fatigue. They introduce the fundamentals of fatigue processes and explore a wide range of practical engineering applications.

Autorentext

Michael Khonsari is the holder of the Dow Chemical Endowed Chair and Professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Louisiana State University where he directs the Center for Rotating Machinery (CeRoM). Professor Khonsari is a fellow of ASME, STLE, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He holds several patents and he has authored two books and over 240 archival journal articles, book chapters, and special publications. He is currently the chief editor of the ASME Journal of Tribology.

Mehdi Amiri earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University where he is currently a research associate in the Center for Rotating Machinery (CeRoM). His area of research is in the field of fatigue and fracture analysis. He holds one patent and has authored several journal publications. His research interests include thermal/fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, tribology, and failure analysis.

Inhalt

Introduction to Mechanical Degradation Processes. Fundamentals of Thermodynamics. Degradation-Entropy Generation (DEG) Theorem. Fatigue Mechanisms: An Overview. Basic Thermodynamic Framework for Fatigue Analysis. Thermodynamic Assessment of Fatigue Failure. Damage Mechanics: An Entropic Approach. Self-Organization in Fatigue. Entropic Fatigue: In Search for Applications. Index.