  Ductile damage modeling within the Small Punch Test (SPT) is extensively
investigated. The capabilities of the SPT to reliably estimate fracture and
damage properties are thoroughly discussed and emphasis is placed on the use of
notched specimens. First, different notch profiles are analyzed and constraint
conditions quantified. The role of the notch shape is comprehensively examined
from both triaxiality and notch fabrication perspectives. Afterwards, a
methodology is presented to extract the micromechanical-based ductile damage
parameters from the load-displacement curve of notched SPT samples.
Furthermore, Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman model predictions from a top-down
approach are employed to gain insight into the mechanisms governing crack
initiation and subsequent propagation in small punch experiments. An accurate
assessment of micromechanical toughness parameters from the SPT is of
tremendous relevance when little material is available.
