Empirical or semi-empirical design methodologies at the macroscopic scale (structural level) can be supported and justified only by a fundamental understanding at the lower (microscopic) size scale through the physical model. Today structural integrity (SI) is thought as the optimisation of microstructure by controlling processing coupled with intelligent manufacturing of the material: to maximise mechanical performance and ensure reliability of the large scale structure; and to avoid calamity and misfortune. SI analysis provides quantitative input to the formulation of an appropriately balanced response to the problem. This article demonstrates that at the heart of the matter are those mechanisms of crack nucleation and growth that affect the structural integrity of the material: microscopic cracking events that are usually too small to observe and viewed only by microscopy.

宏观上（结构级别）的经验或半经验设计方法只能通过对物理模型在较低（微观）尺度上的基本理解来支持和证明。今天，结构完整性（SI）被认为是通过控制加工过程以及智能制造材料来优化微观结构：最大化机械性能并确保大型结构的可靠性；并避免灾难和不幸。SI分析为制定适当平衡的问题响应提供了定量输入。本文证明了问题的核心 是那些影响材料结构完整性的裂纹成核和扩展机制：微观裂纹事件通常很小，无法通过显微镜观察和观察。