Descrição
Partially encased beam is a steel-concrete composite structure, made-up with a hot rolled profile and filled with concrete between flanges. Such structural element improves load-bearing capacity at elevated temperatures.
Metal ceramic Fixed Partial Dentures (FPD) are suitable to increase fracture resistance presenting higher clinical longevity. This type of prosthesis is mainly used when a great number of teeth replacements are needed. The FPD under analysis is defined by a metallic infrastructure (titanium) and by a ceramic coating. The advantages of hybrid FPI) lie in their predictable biomechanical behavior versatility and cost. The main disadvantage is related to aesthetic functionality. Karlsson (1986), Lindquist & Karlsson (1998) and Palmqvist (1993) quantified the life time for hybrid FPD, referring lO years in service lo be a survival of break point. The connector design is of great importance to improve smooth stress pattern in the region between teeth. This region is also restrained by biological and aesthetic reasons, Ceramic material presents elevated failure rate in FPD due to brittleness. This work intends to predict fracture resistance to different loading conditions, using a smeared fracture approach (continuous damage mechanics), Results agree well with experimental evidence.
; Alves, Ana 
