The course aims to provide the basis for the elaboration of design specifications on the basis of the expected failure under operating conditions, to perform a calculation of life prediction, to plan the testing campaign for the characterization of materials. Expected Learning Outcomes L. Recognizes the basic mechanisms responsible for fracture in metals and alloys. Indicates the parameters that control fracture processes (eg opening stress in the case of brittle fracture, temperature in the case of creep) H. Designs components in the presence of multiaxial stress and combined load / temperature / time actions