The present short monograph concerns analytic and semi-analytic techniques for finding an
approximate value of the limit load. The limit load is an essential input parameter of flaw
assessment procedures. In most cases finding the limit load involves some numerical
calculations of different levels of complexity including numerical minimization of functions
of one or several arguments the slip-line technique and the finite element method. This book
shows in particular how to use singular behavior of the real velocity field in the vicinity of
bi-material interfaces in kinematically admissible velocity fields to increase the accuracy of
upper bound solutions. An approach to recalculate the limit load for a class of structures with
defects with the use of its value for the corresponding structure with no defect is discussed.
The upper bound technique is applied to evaluate the limit load of overmatched and undermatched
welded joints with cracks subject to various loading conditions of practical importance in
conjunction with the aforementioned special techniques.
