Experimental Evaluation Of CTOD And J Integral Toughness Parameters For Bend Specimens SE(B) Using The ETA Method

This work presents an estimation procedure to determine the fracture toughness parameters J and CTOD for SE(B) specimens using the eta method. The main purpose is to obtain numerically calibrated eta (eta) factors which are applicable to an extensive range of relative crack dimensions (0.05 < or = a/W < or = 0.7) and material hardening properties. The analysis results enable the construction of functional forms which describe the variation of the eta factors with crack size (a/W) and material hardening properties, n. The procedure provides more accurate toughness values of J and CTOD from laboratory experimental measurements of fracture toughness.