Currently, there are a large number of books available on ‘Fracture Mechanics’, varying widely in coverage and levels of difficulty. After having taught the subject for more than twenty-five years to senior undergraduate and graduate students, I felt the need for a book that can help students supplement their understanding after classroom exposure, and also be of use to others especially self-learners, interested in learning the fundamentals of the subject.

The subject has become very important in design and safety analysis of critical components of machines and structures in aerospace, space explorations, automobiles, power plants, chemical plants, oil exploration, shipping, defense, civil applications, and so on. Because of its wide relevance, there is a need for large manpower with requisite knowledge of the subject and, hence, for books on the subject to suit a variety of maturity and capability levels.

This book has been written with the intent of expounding major fundamental concepts and their mathematical foundations from the point of view of mechanics; that can be covered in a course of about one semester. It is designed to be helpful to senior undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, practising engineers, faculty members and self-learners. The material has been presented in a fashion that helps the reader grasp the ideas easily and see through all stages of their mathematical development. It is envisaged as a starting text and should provide readers the foundation to appreciate and grasp advanced books and research publications.

The book has nine chapters. In each chapter, basic ideas have been adequately explained. Their applications have been further illustrated by solved numerical examples. These will foster practical applications of the theoretical concepts. Wherever possible, unsolved problems are included at the end of a chapter.

I am thankful to the reviewers for their suggestions. I am also thankful to my colleagues Dr Dnyanesh Pawaskar, Dr Salil S Kulkarni, Dr Krishna N. Jonnalagadda and Dr Tanmay K. Bhandakkar, each of whom has gone through a part of the whole write-up and given useful inputs/comments.

I will feel satisfied if the readers find the book useful.