9313153 Tippur An experimental research program will be undertaken that explores crack initiation and growth along material interfaces subjected to thermo-mechanical loads. This investigation will assist in understanding the failure mechanics of engineering structures made of polymer and metal matrix composites, adhesive joints in aircrafts, and interfaces in layered micro-electronic devices. It is anticipated that the research will contribute towards modeling the influence of transient thermal loads and thermal gradients on crack initiation toughness and mode mixity and developing new methods for characterizing fracture of bimaterial interface subjected to thermo-mechanical loading. The primary focus will be towards understanding the transient nature of the pre-initiation crack tip fields that lead to crack initiation and propagation along material interfaces due to thermo-mechanical loading. ***
