F glossary entries

A specific way in which a component, process, or system can fail to perform its intended function.

An efficient family of algorithms for computing the discrete Fourier transform and its inverse.

Fatigue is the progressive structural damage that occurs in a material subjected to repeated or fluctuating loads, potentially leading to crack initiation, crack growth, and final fracture at stress levels well below the material's static strength.

Fault detection is the process of identifying abnormal conditions or faults from measurements, events, models, inspections, or diagnostic evidence.

Feedback is the use of information about a system's output — or its deviation from a desired value — to adjust the system's input or control action, with the goal of reducing error and maintaining a desired behaviour.

A control strategy that uses measured disturbances, commands, or models to act before an error is produced at the output.

A numerical method that approximates field problems by dividing a domain into finite elements connected at nodes.

A projecting rim, collar, plate, or ring used to connect, stiffen, locate, seal, or transmit load between components.

The amount of fluid passing through a section, device, or control volume per unit time, expressed as volume flow or mass flow.

A switching power-converter topology that stores energy in a coupled inductor during one switching interval and transfers it to the output during another.

A measure of a material's resistance to crack extension in the presence of a flaw under a specified loading mode and constraint condition.

A diagram that isolates a body or component and shows the external forces, moments, reactions, and selected coordinate system acting on it.

Freeboard is the vertical distance from the waterline to a deck, opening, or assigned reference height.

Frequency response is the steady-state relationship between the frequency of an input signal and the resulting output magnitude and phase of a dynamic system.