What are theories of failure?

Question

Accepted Answer

Theories of failure are models that explain how and why materials or structures fail under certain conditions.

Theories of failure are used to predict the failure of materials or structures under different loads and conditions.
They are based on the principles of mechanics and materials science.
Some common theories of failure include maximum shear stress theory, maximum normal stress theory, and von Mises yield criterion.
These theories are used in engineering design to ensure that structures and materials are safe and reliable.
For example, the maximum shear stress theory predicts that failure occurs when the maximum shear stress in a material exceeds a certain value.
Similarly, the maximum normal stress theory predicts that failure occurs when the maximum normal stress in a material exceeds a certain value.
The von Mises yield criterion predicts that failure occurs when the von Mises stress in a material exceeds a certain value.
These theories are also used in failure analysis to determine the cause of failure in a material or structure.
For example, if a material fails under a certain load, the theory of failure can be used to determine whether the failure was due to excessive shear stress, normal stress, or a combination of both.

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