Abstract
This paper is intended as a first step towards the formalization of procedures for the application of the weakest-link model to fracture toughness problems. Loosely speaking, the weakestlink model states that the fracture toughness is determined by the most brittle region (“weakest link”) along the crack front. In practice, the model will often be applicable in some form if the mode of fracture is cleavage. It predicts that the distribution of fracture toughness is dependent on the length of the crack front. Methods are presented for the calculation of this crack-front-length effect. If there are no systematic fracture toughness variations along the crack front, and if the fracture mechanics parameter is constant along the crack front, it is rather simple to calculate; otherwise the calculations are somewhat more complicated.
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