Book excerpt: Failure of Materials in Mechanical Design: Analysis, Prediction, Prevention, 2nd Edition, covers the basic principles of failure of metallic and non-metallic materials in mechanical design applications. Updated to include new developments on fracture mechanics, including both linear-elastic and elastic-plastic mechanics. Contains new material on strain and crack development and behavior. Emphasizes the potential for mechanical failure brought about by the stresses, strains and energy transfers in machine parts that result from the forces, deflections and energy inputs applied.