FKM guideline "Fracture mechanics proof of strength for engineering components"

The German guideline 'Fracture Mechanics Proof of Strength for Engineering Components' has been released in 2001 as a result of activities sponsored by the Research Committee on Mechanical Engineering (FKM), task group 'Component Strength'. The guideline describes basics for the integrity assessment of cracked components subjected to static or cyclic loading and provides a step-by-step computational procedure for the use in engineering practice. The guideline was formulated based on a number of national and international reference documents, in particular SINTAP, R6, BS 7910 and DVS-2401, recent research results and some own key aspects. Since 2004 it is also available in English. The procedures and solutions of the guideline are implemented in the computer program FracSafe. The latest edition of the guideline (2005) includes several new topics. These allow for the consideration of special effects at cyclic loading, mixed mode loading, dynamic (impact) loading, stress corrosion cracking, probabilistic aspects in fracture mechanics calculations. In addition, the compendium of the stress intensity factor and limit load solutions is extended and adjusted according to the state-of-the-art. Some new examples and case studies are included to demonstrate the application of the procedure to engineering problems. This paper gives an overview of the guideline and describes new features available since its first edition.