We developed a method for investigating the strength of nanocolumns against nanoscale stress concentration intentionally introduced by the control of nanocolumn shape using glancing angle deposition. We conducted fracture experiments for Ti doglegged nanocolumn arrays with controlled stress concentrated sites, which included the corner of the doglegged shape and the bottom of the column. The fracture sites were coincident with the stress concentrated sites, suggesting that the nanoscale stress concentration has a large impact on the fracture of nano-components. We discussed the dominant mechanics of fracture in the nanocolumns on the basis of stress fields by considering the plasticity of nanocolumns. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.