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Classically, structural component fatigue design is based on testing and empirical models. First a series of average stress-life curves are generated from fatigue tests. Constant life diagrams are then developed accounting for mean stress effect, casting quality, surface finish, volume and other factors. Component design is then based on keeping the effective alternating stress below the diagram limit stress. While this procedure has worked well to design many components, it is based on extensive fatigue testing and empirical stress reduction factors. Thus, material and process improvements and computerization of the design process are difficult to incorporate into this test/empirical based design methodology. Fracture mechanics and damage tolerant design methodologies are used in aerospace for fatigue design. These methods predict well the fatigue life for surface scratches (rogue inspectable flaws) of about 0.25-1.27 mm in size.