These points are further elaborated in the following. The crack propagation approach introduced in Section 11.1.1 is associated with the following weak points when applied to spot-welded lap joints: deviations from simplified plate fracture behaviour, inadequate neglect of non-singular stress portions, uncertainties about the initial crack size, inconsistencies with regard to the material parameters controlling crack propagation and uncertainties about the branching crack situation. Fricke, in Fatigue Assessment of Welded Joints by Local Approaches (Second Edition), 2006 11.1.4 Weak points and potential of the crack propagation approach
