On the differences observed in the fracture behaviour of centre cracked and centre notched specimens and their effect on structural integrity assessments

This paper analyses the experimental differences found between the behaviour of cracked and notched specimens. These differences are defined in terms of local strains, global strains, stresses and CTOD values during testing, and also through the correlations established between these variables. The experimental programme has been performed at very distinct temperatures (from -100°C to -20°C), providing an outline of the notch effect throughout the transition region. The corresponding effects on structural integrity assessments (through Failure Assessment Diagrams) are also analysed. From the results obtained, a clear notch effect in all the mentioned parameters and in the assessment itself has been defined for temperatures below the Transition Temperature (TT0).