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The paper addresses the use of small-sized specimens of various types, including those with deep (50%) side grooves, for the purpose of fracture toughness prediction. The experimental data for numerous (more than 500) small-sized specimens prepared from materials of various degrees of embrittlement are compared to the test results for full-sized specimens of C(T) type. The concepts of Master Curve and Unified Curve are applied for the processing of experimental data. To handle the test results for small-sized deep-grooved specimens a calculation procedure has been elaborated, which adjusts the calculation method specified in the ASTM Standard E 1921. We provide recommendations of how to use precracked Charpy type deep-grooved (50%) specimens for prediction of a representative temperature dependence of fracture toughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the application of the dual boundary element method for the determination of stress intensity factors in plate bending problems. The loadings considered include internal pressure, and also combined bending and tension. Mixed mode stress intensity factors are evaluated by a crack surface displacement extrapolation technique and the J-integral technique. The boundary element results for the case studies considered in the paper have been compared with either analytical or finite element results and in all cases good agreement has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]