Title: FAILURE ANALYSIS — PRESENT CONCEPTS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Abstract: ABSTRACT Untimely mechanical failure is an ailment which is widely prevalent in all engineering industries. How best it can be prevented or minimised in the most economical way is a challenge being posed to all engineers and designers. Environment, material and human error factors such as design, operation and maintenance oversights contribute to this multi-faceted world of mechanical failures. Considerable amount of literature is available on the various causes of failures and their prevention, exemplified with case histories. But serious attempts are yet to be made to systematise the analysis of mechanical failures. Towards this end, the use of fault tree technique as a methodology for failure analysis is briefly discussed. The various tools and techniques used in failure analysis are described. The role of fracture mechanics and its importance in failure analysis and prevention is also discussed. Poor documentation, improper organisation and non-accessibility of failure data are often the cause of under utilisation of information obtained from failure experiences. The construction and use of a 3-dimensional failure experience matrix is described as a means of overcoming this problem. With the advent of the jet aircraft, missiles and space vehicles, the use of numerical reliability rather than subjective statements has become the order of the day. Any reliability prediction is as good as the data fed into it. Failure analysis provides the base for realistic data for making more meaningful predictions. Economic considerations should also prevail in any reliability estimation program. In essence no matter what calamities are foreseen or what precuations are taken, all objects and devices fail. Failures are a fact of life. It should however be the aim of science to modify and to extend the useful service life with good reliability so as to suit the needs of those it serves.
Publication Year: 1984
Publication Date: 1984-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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