Estimation of the load-bearing capacity of tubular cantilever beams containing through-thickness circumferential U-notches

This paper provides a methodology for the structural integrity assessment of tubular beams containing U-notches, and particularises the analysis to the case of cantilever beams containing through thickness U-notches. The methodology is based on the combined use of Failure Assessment Diagrams and the Theory of Critical Distances, with the BS7910 as the reference fracture assessment document. The results, obtained in Al6060 and PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) tubular cantilever beams, demonstrates that the proposed approach provides accurate predictions of failure loads.