Overview: Engineering structures for reliable function and safety have to be designed such that operational mechanical loads are compensated for by stresses in the components bearable by the materials used. Vhat is "bearable"? First of all it depends on the properties of the chosen materials as well as on several other parameters, e.g. temperature, corrosivity of the environment, elapsed or remaining serviceable life, unexpected deterioration of materials, whatever the source and nature of such deterioration may be: defects, loss of strength, embrittlement, wastage, etc. DEFECTS and PROPERTIES
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