This volume investigates the applicability of fracture mechanics principles to the structural analysis and design of reinforced concrete. Edited by Alberto Carpinteri, the text compiles research presented at a 1990 international workshop, focusing on the transition from traditional limit analysis to more nuanced fracture-based models. It provides a technical framework for understanding how cracks propagate and influence the load-bearing capacity of concrete structures.

Experts recognize this collection as a significant historical record of the integration of fracture mechanics into structural engineering practices. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for researchers and structural engineers familiar with advanced mechanics.