interesting article posted by a Moderator at ForeForums:
http://reliabilityweb.com/inde...mechanical_failures/

Excerpts:
One does not have to be able to solve mathematics functions like Laplace transforms or Fourier series to be an excellent vibration analyst. Nor does the failure analyst have to solve linear elastic fracture mechanics problems to be effective.

Types of Fractures
Fractures are described in one of three ways: ductile overload, brittle overload and fatigue. Each type of fracture has distinct characteristics that allow identification.