Abstract: An engineering approach, the failure assessment diagram (FAD) , for the assessment of the integrity of structures containing cracks is further investigated and fully explored by means of the incremental theory elastic-plastic finite element method and J-integral theory of elastic-plastic fracture mechanics. The influences of root curvature radius, length (depth) of blunted cracks or notches and the ellipticity of the blunted crack or notch end, and types along with materials of specimens on FAD are investigated more comprehensively. By proposing a modification method to blunted crack or notch stress intensity factors and ultimate loads, the FAD can be established to eliminate the influences of notch factors on it. Therefore, the approach of FAD for cracks could be utilized to the integrity assessment of structures containing notches after modification.

Key words: Elastic-plastic finite elements, Failure assessment diagram, Integrity of Structures, Notch analysis