断裂力学在规范、规则和标准中的应用程序不能仅从科学文献提供的理想化指南中得出。必须仔细检查断裂力学使用中的工程经验，以发展现实的代码文档。 断裂力学文献没有提供结合科学和工程因素的通用文件，其形式对规范、规则和标准的利益特别有用。这样的文件对于开发、使用、合法化和受代码文件影响的人之间进行有意义的交流非常重要。 这些不同的“兴趣”要求合理明确地解释工程要求、设计原则和断裂力学选项之间的隐含关系。本报告的主要目的是用相关各方都能理解的相对简单的术语解释这些关系。

Procedures for application of fracture mechanics to Codes, Rules and Standards cannot be derived solely from idealized guidelines provided by the scientific literature. Careful examination of engineering experience in the use of fracture mechanics is mandatory, in order to evolve realistic Code documents. The fracture mechanics literature does not provide a general document that combines scientific and engineering factors, in a form that is specifically useful to the interest of Codes, Rules and Standards. Such a document is important for meaningful communication between those who develop, use, legalize and are affected by Code documents. These various "interests" require a reasonably clear explanation of the implicit relationships between engineering requirements, design principles and fracture mechanics options. The primary aim of this report is to explain these relationships in relatively simple terms that should be understandable to all concerned.