Rationale

Reduction of Area determination procedure is specified to include fitting the fractured ends together in 7.12.2, 7.12.2, and 7.12.3. However, this step is not necessary with the advent of current technology, which enables determination by automated, optical methods. These statements should be revised to make the re-fitting of fractured specimen pieces optional - similar to the approach taken by ISO 6892-1:2019 which states "If necessary, the broken pieces of the test piece shall be carefully fitted back together so that their axes lie in a straight line."