Abstract
The R6 procedure is one of the most advanced, innovative and effective method developed and recommended for use in problems of material behaviour and structural integrity of engineering structures with defects. The idea and basic assumptions of R6 procedure are described in the paper as well as example of its practical application in analysis of damaged bridge structural element. As a result of the research, the highly conservative approach of R6 procedure was observed, which estimated the level of hazardous loads as the elastic limit load for analysed element.