Geometry effects and the J-integral approach to elastic-plastic fatigue crack growth

Fatigue crack growth rate data are obtained for center cracked specimens of A533B steel subjected to elastic-plastic cyclic loading. Cyclic J-integral values estimated from load versus deflection hysteresis loops are correlated with these growth rate data. The relationship obtained is in agreement with previous elastic-plastic data on compact specimens and also with linear elastic data on large size compact specimens. These experimental data suggest that the fracture mechanics approach to fatigue crack growth may be extended by the use of the J-integral concept, so that large scale plasticity effects are included.