Computational accuracy of the Ĵ-integral by the finite-element method

Abstract The accuracy of the finite-element calculation of the Ĵ-integral, which represents the dynamic-energy release rate for propagating cracks, is studied. The main error is found to be caused by the calculation of the singular area integral. In order to reduce the error, a new method for evaluating the singular area integral is developed. In this method, the integrand in the singular area integral is approximated to by a certain function, which is transformable into a line integral. The line integral is then evaluated analytically. The usefulness of the present method is demonstrated by an elastodynamic example.