The purpose of the analysis is the numerical simulation of structures strained to the limit loads. The finite element calculations and experiments with cracked structures have been carried out yielding over limit strains between 10% and 15% by single peak load. Load versus displacement-diagrams and J-diagrams up to the limit load are calculated. By this way the influence of geometric parameters may be assessed in the post yield region. It is proposed to use such calculations to correlate experiments carried out with small specimens to experiments simulating the true dimensions of the design structure.