This course is about why, how and when failures occur. In this course the physical mechanisms leading to failure of components or systems will be treated and applied. In the first part of the course, the principles of mechanisms like fatigue, wear and lubrication, corrosion and electrical failures will be explained. Moreover, quantitative methods to assess the time to failure at a specific loading will be discussed. In the second part of the course, the basic knowledge will be applied to analyze failures of real components and systems, like bearings, gear sets or gas turbines. Also the development of predictive maintenance strategies will be discussed, as well as the application in design processes.

This course is a compulsory course for all PDEng Maintenance trainees. Part of the course is an additional assignment for upgrading the course to a Post-Master level. The trainee must discuss the content of this additional assignment together with the lecturer of the course. Afterwards, the trainee needs a covering letter (see PDEng study guide) stating that he/she has rounded the course at post-master level. This form must be signed by both the lecturer of the course and the PDEng programme director, and a scan must be uploaded in ProDoc.

Part of the course is an additional assignment for upgrading the course to a Post-Master level. The PDEng trainee must discuss the content of this additional assignment together with the lecturer of the course. Afterwards, the trainee needs a covering letter (see PDEng study guide) stating that he/she has rounded the course at post-master level. This form must be signed by both the lecturer of the course and the PDEng programme director, and a scan must be uploaded in ProDoc.