This paper validates a methodology for the estimation of critical loads in tubular beams containing notch-type defects. The methodology is particularized for the case of Al6060-T66 tubular cantilever beams containing U-shaped notches. It consists in obtaining the stress field at the notch tip using finite element analysis (FEA) and the subsequent application of the theory of critical distances (TCD) to derive the corresponding critical load (or load-bearing capacity). The results demonstrate that this methodology provides satisfactory predictions of fracture loads.

中文翻译：

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耦合有限元分析和临界距离理论以估计含缺口Al6060-T66管状梁的临界载荷

本文验证了一种用于估计包含缺口型缺陷的管状梁中的临界载荷的方法。该方法特别适用于包含U形槽口的Al6060-T66管状悬臂梁。它包括使用有限元分析（FEA）获得缺口尖端处的应力场，以及随后应用临界距离理论（TCD）得出相应的临界载荷（或承载能力）。结果表明，该方法可提供令人满意的断裂载荷预测。