crack tip opening displacement (CTOD)

Crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) is a measure of how much a crack in a material opens up at its tip when under stress. It indicates the material’s toughness by showing how much deformation the crack can withstand before it grows further. A larger CTOD means the material can absorb more energy and is more resistant to fracture, whereas a smaller CTOD suggests it is more brittle. Engineers use CTOD to assess the safety and durability of structures, ensuring materials can handle expected stresses without catastrophic failure.