Yes! Fracture mechnaics has come along miles since the Charpy test. High strain rate fracture mechanics testing is the subject of British Standard BS7448 Part 3 (1995) "Fracture mechanics toughness tests - Part 3: Method for determination of fracture toughness of metallic materials at rates of...
If the weld procedure qualification records for the weld can demonstrate an overmatching weld metal, and the weld has been inspected to demonstrate that there are no flaws (which would reduce the load bearing capacity of the weld), then in a strength design calc, the weld will not weaken the...
