The re-characterisation of complex defects: Part II: cleavage

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-entrant sectors. Experimental tests on complex and re-characterised profiles are analysed using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The work addresses the conservatism of re-characterisation procedures when applied to cleavage failure on the lower shelf and in the ductile–brittle transition.