Description This project will investigate fracture mechanics theory & practice and develop a numerical & experimental analysis case study in its application. The BS or ASTM standards used to evaluate fracture mechanics properties and relevant literature will be reviewed. A material such as a grade of steel or aluminium will be selected. A sample geometry (such as a compact tension specimen) of the material will first be designed and tested virtually using finite element analysis. Depending on the lockdown regulations, the sample will be machined and a crack will be generated. Fracture mechanics material properties will be estimated experimentally and compared with numerical FEA solutions. Crack propagation in the sample will be investigated using the ANSYS SMART finite element method. A selected component such as a pressurised vessel will then be modelled in FEA as a case study and a fracture mechanics analysis will be performed. Key Objectives Review standards and literature related to fracture mechanics analysis. Develop FEA simulations of fracture mechanics samples. Perform experiments estimating fracture mechanics properties or estimate crack propagation virtually with FEA. Perform fracture mechanics FEA analysis of a component.