Estimate of conservativity of elastic approach to elastic–plastic crack problems using two-parameter J–AJ–A fracture criterion

•New conservativity factor for elastic solution of elastic–plastic crack problems.•Use of two-parameter J − A elastic–plastic fracture criterion.•Conservativity factors are calculated for typical specimens.•Elastic integrity prediction is conservative for short and internal cracks.

The two-parameter J–AJ–A fracture criterion accounts for the dependence of material fracture toughness on the constraint parameter A  . Based on J–AJ–A criterion, the conservativity of elastic approach in elastic–plastic fracture mechanics problems is examined. A conservativity factor of elastic prediction is introduced. The value of this factor allows quantitative estimate of conservativity of elastic solution as compared to the elastic–plastic structural integrity analysis. It is demonstrated that the elastic prediction of structural integrity is conservative for short edge cracks and for internal cracks.