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A Review of: “The Theory of Critical Distances: A New Perspective in Fracture Mechanics, David Taylor”

In this book, the author elegantly presents and elaborately discusses the theory of material behavior. This particular theory is capable of predicting a range of different types of failure caused by cracking, arising in the stress fields created by notches, cracks, and other stress-concentrating features. The author of the book repeatedly emphasizes that this particular theory on material behavior has been invented and reinvented by different workers studying different problems. Initially, it was a theory that had no name, basically considered to be a quiet and shy theory whose proponents were largely unaware of each other. The author went ahead to give this specific theory a name and called it the Theory of Critical Distances (TCD) in an attempt to develop and enhance its use and to also make others aware of its existence. The author is of the opinion that though TCD developed quite some time ago, it did not develop into a coherent science in the same way as Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). During the early years it was made use industrially in the form of certain empirical equations, and more explicitly by a few individuals of that time period. However, it did not receive the same attention as LEFM and consequently did not develop the all important theoretical foundations that would inspire confidence. This book is a dedicated attempt by the author to redress the balance, to attempt to bring together in one volume everything that is known about TCD. Throughout the book, the author advocates a particular approach that is firmly grounded in continuum mechanics. This is an approach that emphasizes the link between TCD and LEFM. The links between the two enables the author to develop a justification for the TCD on theoretical grounds. Besides throwing light on the link, the author also discusses and compares a variety of approaches put forth by other researchers. Based on this, he feels that the current trend is towards the inclusion of some form of length constant in all theories of fracture. The first four chapters of the book focus on an introduction to mechanics, the basics in understanding the theory of critical distances, specific details on the theory of critical distances, and appropriate and applicable theories of fracture. The following six chapters examine the different aspects in detail, with specific reference to brittle fracture in ceramics, polymers, metals and composites, and also examining failures occurring due to fatigue and contact problems such as fretting. In each of these chapters, the author effectively demonstrates how the theory of critical distances (TCD) can be used to predict experimental data and the success achieved while concurrently outlining the shortcomings. The experimental results are neatly discussed in light of the prevailing and known mechanisms and theories of failure. In Chapters 11 and 12, the author considers and elaborates upon the complications that could arise in multi-axial stress fields and also in real engineering components, by providing a few case studies. In Chapter 13, the key findings of all the preceding twelve chapters are assembled together to consider the theoretical basis of the approach. Each chapter in this book provides a succinct summary of the theory used, an adequate yet lucid discussion on material behavior, and inherent limitations of the theory proposed. The relevant theories are discussed both for efficiency and accuracy. Each chapter concludes with a list of references used. This book could respond well to two different types of readers. Firstly, there are those in research arena and working either at a university or large company, whose primary interest is in understanding material behavior and failure, from a grass-root perspective. Secondly, the book would also appeal to the design engineer who requires a practical tool for predicting failure in real components and structures. The author and this reviewer feel confident that both the readers will approach the book in different ways, focusing on different chapters. In essence, this book elaborately details a theory and its applicability, while it was existent and not easily considered.