On characteristic lengths used in notch fracture mechanics

In this paper, four kinds of characteristic length parameters used in a local notch fracture criterion are presented: (1) a characteristic length ${\uprho }_{\mathrm{c}}$ generally connecting to the notch radius, (2) a characteristic distance $\hbox {X}_{\mathrm{c}}$ considered as intrinsic to material and connected to the microstructure, (3) a critical distance $\hbox {d}_{0}$ considered as intrinsic to material and connected to the fracture process zone, (4) an effective distance $\hbox {X}_{\mathrm{ef}}$ considered as a characteristic of the stress distribution. Each approach is discussed. The paper ends with the author’s opinion about the different methods.