Validation of the Two-Parameter Fracture Criterion using finite-element analyses with the critical CTOA fracture criterion

•Two-Parameter Fracture Criterion gave linear relation between KIe and net-section stress.•Elastic–plastic finite-element analyses using critical crack-tip-opening-angle (CTOA).•Middle-crack-tension specimens analyzed over a very wide range in specimen widths.•Both fracture criteria agreed well (within 5%) of each other.•Comparisons with test data on two aluminum alloys were very good.

Elastic–plastic finite-element analyses employing the critical crack-tip-opening-angle (CTOA) fracture criterion were used to simulate fracture on thin-sheet middle-crack-tension, M(T), specimens made of several aluminum alloys over an extremely large range of widths (18–5700-mm) for a wide range in crack-length-to-width ratios. A linear relation between elastic stress-intensity factor (KIe) and net-section stress (Sn) at failure was observed for Sn less than yield stress of the material. Test data on two aluminum alloys (2024-T3 and 2219-T87) over a wide range of M(T) specimen widths (76–600-mm and 76–1200-mm, respectively) supported the linear relationship that validated the Two-Parameter Fracture Criterion.