Piekverbreking

Piekverbreking is a term used in Dutch engineering and materials science to describe a sudden structural failure caused by reaching a material’s peak stress, typically under extreme or dynamic loading. It denotes an abrupt crack initiation and rapid crack propagation culminating in fracture, often with limited visible plastic deformation. The term contrasts with gradual failure modes such as creep or steady fatigue growth.

In practice, piekverbreking can occur in metallic, ceramic or composite components when peak loads exceed the material’s fracture toughness or when stress concentrations exist. Common triggers include impact or impulsive loads, resonant vibration, improper design, manufacturing defects, or environmental effects that reduce toughness. The failure is often localized at critical regions such as notches, fastener holes, welds, or interfaces.

Diagnosis and prevention rely on fracture mechanics and reliability engineering. Investigators analyze fracture surfaces to determine initiation sites and propagation paths. Preventive measures include reducing stress concentrations, selecting materials with adequate toughness, applying surface treatments, improving manufacturing quality, and implementing monitoring systems to detect abnormal load peaks or resonances. Design standards and safety factors aim to ensure that peak loads remain within the material’s capacity to withstand.

Etymology: The word is formed from Dutch piek (peak) and verbreking (breakage, fracture). See also fatigue, brittle fracture, and fracture mechanics.