Parametr uszkodzenia w kontynualnej mechanice zniszczenia

The paper gives a review of works on damage parameter employed in mechanics of deformable body. The theory introduced by L. M. Kachanov in 1958 has recently found a wide applications in predicting of the reliability of structural elements. This is particularly important at high temperature (creep), and under variable loading (fatigue) conditions. The idea of introducing a new variable characterizing the material deterioration, as well as the engineering applications are discussed. Further directions of the development of this branch of continual approach to fracture mechanics are also given.