Main topics:
 
Topic #1 - Fracture mechanics of brittle materials and quasi-brittle materials such as ceramics, glass, composite materials or hard metals. New FFM approaches including non-linearities, plasticity, rate-dependence or dynamic aspects

Topic #2 - Experimental characterization of fracture parameters: dedicated crack initiation experiments, coupling FFM and full field measurements, inverse identification approaches.

Topic #3 - Analytical and numerical methods for the prediction of fracture initiation and propagation, including numerical implementations and algorithm development.

Topic #4 - Comparison and dialectic between numerical methods such as, e.g., the coupled criterion, theory of critical distances, cohesive zone models, phase field approach for fracture, etc.