During the last two decades, many researchers investigated influences of stress triaxiality on ductile fracture for various specimens and structures. With respect to a transferability issue, the local approach reflecting micro-mechanical specifics is one of effective methods to predict constraint effects. In this paper, the applicability of the local approach was examined through a series of finite element analyses incorporating modified GTN (Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman) and Rousselier models as well as fracture toughness tests. To achieve this goal, fracture resistance (J-R) curves of several types of compact tension (CT) specimens with various crack length, with various thickness and with/without 20% side- grooves were estimated. Then. the constraint effects were examined by comparing the numerically estimated J-R curves with experimentally determined ones. The assessment results showed that the damage models might be used as useful tool for fracture toughness estimation and both the crack length and thickness effects should be considered for realistic structural integrity evaluation.