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The author has proposed a fracture criterion for crack nucleation at stressconcentration points (notches, corner points, …). It involves both strength and toughness ofthe material and is consistent with the Griffith criterion for a crack. It is employed herein topredict failure of joints. Stress concentration occurs at the interfaces between the joint andthe substrates at the end of the joints and it is a privileged site for crack nucleation. Buttand scarf joints are studied with and without thermal residual stresses. The role of a spewfillet in a corner is discussed.