Preface Chapter 1General Introduction 1.1Purpose and Importance of Failure Research 1.2Main Considerations in Failure Research 1.3Research on Notch Strength of Materials 1.4Outline of the Present Book 1.5Concluding Remarks References Chapter 2Fracture Mechanics of Notched Elements 2.1Introduction 2.2Notch Stress and Strain Analysis 2.3Criterion for Crack Initiation ............ Chapter 8Notch Strength of Brittle Materials under Torsion Chapter 9Notch Strength of Ceramic under Compression Chapter 10Fracture Criterion for Ceramic Notched Elements under Combined Tension/Torsion Chapter 11Notch Strength of Ceramics at High Loading Speeds Chapter 12Notch Strength of Ceramics at Elevated Temperatures Chapter 13Notch Strength and Notch Sensitivity of PMMA Glasses Chapter 14Fracture and Strength of Notched Elements of Composites Index