ABSTRACT
The development of cracks leading to shear failure is discussed. Crack development and the failure load can in principle be analysed by means of non-linear fracture mechanics, e.g. the fictitious crack model. Due to numerical difficulties and a limited knowledge of material properties, only rather approximate analyses have so far been performed. The results of these analyses show a good general agreement with test results regarding the relative influence of different factors. The analyses may support some changes in design formulas. With further development of numerical methods and with increased knowledge of material properties the analytical studies may prove very useful as a basis for design rules.
