Our case study is on investigating the breaking of the link chain that is used to

keep a swine. There are different kinds of factors that affect the properties of the
material (chemical and mechanical properties). The material properties that we are
focusing on our case study are the mechanical properties of the chain. The chain is
investigated with what we observe at the same time researching with what we observe.
From our observations it shows that the cause could be due to different kind of stress
that it experience (from the movement of the swine), the corrosion (from exposure from
moisture and coating wearing off) and fatigue (since it linked to swine 24/7).

Methods/approaches used

The method we use in investigating the chain is thorough observation of the
failed material and thorough research about the observations. In this method, the
approach is more on theoretical way which is based on our research and observations
without experimental/test involve on the material. We prefer to use this method simply
because we have not much time and equipment to examine the failure of the material.
With this method we solely based our solutions to the problem from the research and
observation that we gathered. In thorough observation of the failed material, we just
simply gather the observations from what we can see on the material. In thorough
research about the observations, we come up with different sets of research from
observation on why it the material has failed. Through these we came up with reasons
behind the failure of the material and then finding a solution to prevent it from occurring
again.


Recommendation:

In this case study it shows that the welded part of the chain is the one of the weakness
point of the chain which is needed to be prevented from breaking again. From the
thorough observation of the failed material and thorough research about the
observations it suggests that:

- The chain should be properly welded so that it can withstand high
stresses(because fatigue cracks usually occurs on the welded part)
- The chain should be properly install in the concrete and hook
- The swine should have the Allowable load/force of the chain
- The Chain should be properly use in terms of preventing it from exposure to
water
- The Chain should have a thick coating to prevent it from corrosion