Introduction -- Tools for Preliminary Analysis of a Mechanical Failure -- Tools for the Microscopic Analysis of a Mechanical Failure -- Damage and Failure Mechanisms -- Characterization and Testing of Materials -- Mechanical Modelling Tools applied to Failure Analysis -- Root Cause Analysis -- Damage and Failure Mechanisms in Machinery -- Mitigation and Life Prediction -- Consequences of a Failure Analysis.

This book addresses the failures of structural elements, i.e. those components whose primary mission is to withstand mechanical loads. The book is intended as a self-contained source for those with different technical grades, engineers and scientists but also technicians in the field can benefit from its reading.