Abstract: The re-characterisation of complex defects with re-entrant sectors has been addressed for cracks extending by fatigue, ductile tearing and cleavage. In Part I crack extension by fatigue and ductile tearing was discussed. In Part II cleavage data are presented for a family of complex defects with re-entrantsectors. Experimental tests on complex and re-characterised profilesare analysed using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The work addresses the conservatism of re-characterisation procedures when appliedto cleavage failure on the lower shelf and in the ductile-brittle transition.Keywords: fracture mechanics, structural elements, complex defects, recharacterisation, line-spring analysis, cleavage failure, constraint, statistical fracture mechanics, numerical analysisPublished in DKUM: 01.06.2012; Views: 1014; Downloads: 87 Link to full text
