The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of an interface layer consisting of discretely arrayed nano-sized elements on stress intensified fields. A material where an interface layer consisting of Ta(2)O(5) helical nanoelements (nanosprings) is inserted between dissimilar components is prepared and two types of crack initiation experiments, which possess radically different stress conditions, are carried out. The finite element analyses indicate that the stress fields in the components with and without the interface layer are completely different, and it is experimentally clarified that the fracture mechanics concept cannot be applied to the crack initiation at the dissimilar interface edge with the interface layer. The stress distributions at the crack initiation reveal that the crack initiation is governed by the apparent stress of the nanospring, sigma' at the edge. This signifies that the interface layer eliminates the stress singular field at the interface edge. The criterion of the crack initiation is evaluated as sigma(c)' = 78.5 +/- 4.0 MPa (epsilon(c)' = 5.1 +/- 0.2 x 10(-2)). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.