This report presents the results of an investigation concerning the general subject of the cracking of simple structural geometries under tensile loading.Part 1 encompasses the general subject of the effect of edge conditions and includes a summary of the effects of flame-cut edge notches of various geometries, the effects of the transition details between the sheer strake and the fashion plate, and the effects of various practical procedures of plate edge preparation.For edge notched specimens, small differences were noted in transition temperature, whereas marked differences were noted in the strength and energy absorbing capacities of specimens of the various types.The results of tests of specimens designed to simulate the transition detail between the sheer strake and fashion plate emphasize the necessity of providing as smooth a transition as practicable from one structural component to another if benefits such as lower transition temperature and higher strengths are to be obtained.The effects of plate edge preparation at room temperature were of little significance to specimens tested at room temperature.However, large differences in tensile behavior, and particularly in energy absorbing capacity, were noted for various edge treatments at low temperatures.