Solutions of the second elastic–plastic fracture mechanics parameter in test specimens

Extensive finite element analyses have been conducted to obtain solutions of the A-term, which is the second parameter in three-term elastic–plastic asymptotic expansion, for test specimens. Three mode I crack plane-strain test specimens, i.e. single edge cracked plate (SECP), center cracked plate (CCP) and double edge cracked plate (DECP) were studied. The crack geometries analyzed included shallow to deep cracks. Solutions of A-term were obtained for material following the Ramberg–Osgood power law with hardening exponent of n = 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10. Remote tension loading was applied which covers from small-scale to large-scale yielding. Based on the finite element results, empirical equations to predict the A-terms under small-scale yielding (SSY) to large-scale yielding conditions were developed. In addition, by using the relationships between A and other commonly used second fracture parameters such as Q factor and A2-term, the present solutions can be used to calculate parameters A2 and Q as well. The results presented in the paper are suitable to calculate the second elastic–plastic fracture parameters for test specimens for a wide range of crack geometries, material strain hardening behaviors and loading conditions.