A limit load solution for a highly undermatched scarf‐joint specimen with an arbitrary crack

A new plane strain upper bound solution for highly undermatched scarf‐joined specimens with a crack is proposed. A distinguished feature of this solution is that the crack is arbitrarily located within the weld and its shape is also arbitrary, though some restrictions do apply. The latter are explained in detail such that the class of structures for which the solution is applicable is precisely specified. The solution is given in a form of several ordinary integrals.