Elements of this Module will be undertaken at Cranfield University at Shrivenham located on the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Security clearance will be required if this module is selected. Please refer to our entry requirements section for more details, or see further about security clearance for Cranfield at Shrivenham.
This module can be taken as a Short Course for Credit or a Standalone Short Course.

This module can only be taken as part of the following MSc courses

Forensic Ballistics
Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation
Forensic Investigation

Electives may not run if there is limited student uptake. However, alternatives will be offered.

This module will cover the mechanisms and characteristics of different failure modes, to enable the deduction of the cause(s) of failure from the examination of failed engineered components. The steps and common tools involved in failure analysis will be detailed, as will the importance of defining the objective(s) and planning the investigation.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • Please enquire for course dates
  • Duration5 days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost£1,925 Concessions available

Course structure

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory exercises

What you will learn

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

  • Critically evaluate potential failure modes of an engineered component and the means of evaluating the loading types, material, environmental and structural properties, which govern the onset of failure
  • Assess the indicative characteristics of a failed component from which can be inferred the source of failure
  • Appraise the principles of both linear elastic fracture mechanics and their application to cracks in brittle materials, and fracture mechanics to crack growth under cyclic loads
  • Explain the steps involved in failure investigations and the importance of determining the root cause
  • Construction of a systematic approach to problem solving
  • Evaluate the tools used in failure analysis and their limitations

Core content

  • Discuss and evaluate failures in engineering components
  • Modes of loading and stress distributions
  • Failure mechanisms including ductile/brittle overload, fatigue, corrosion
  • Fractography and the interpretation of fracture surfaces
  • Crack tip stress fields and linear elastic fracture mechanics
  • Importance of defining the goal(s) and planning a failure investigation
  • Requirements for leading a failure investigation and the importance of determining the root cause
  • Steps and common tools involved in failure analysis

Upgrade to a professional qualification

After successful completion of this course 10 credits can be put towards the following courses

  • Forensic Ballistics MSc
  • Forensic Explosive and Explosion Investigation MSc
  • Forensic Investigation MSc


Accreditation

The course is a module of the Forensic Modular Masters Programme, which is accredited by  The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

Speakers

 


Concessions

Concessions are available for Cranfield alumni and multiple bookings from the same organisation, please contact us to discuss.

Accommodation options and prices

This course is non-residential. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information about our on campus accommodation can be found here

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Situated close to Milton Keynes and Bedford, the Cranfield campus is situated in Wharley End, very close to Cranfield village, and is about 10 minutes from the M1 motorway.  There is rail and road access to most major airports as well as coach and train stations. Cranfield campus also has its own airport for private executive business travel.

Download a visitor guide including map, directions and health and safety information.

Location address

Campus address

College Road
Cranfield
Bedfordshire
MK43 0AL

How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.