FINITE-ELEMENT CALCULATION OF ENERGY-RELEASE RATE PRIOR TO CRACK KINKING IN 2-D SOLIDS

A finite element approach, based on the concept of the J(k)-integrals, is derived for evaluations of the ERR associated with crack kinking i n 2-D elastic anisotropic solids. The application is developed as a ge neralized version of the domain integral method. Attention in this wor k is also addressed to the interpretation of the physical meaning for our formulation, which is shown to correspond with the pre-kinking fra cture behaviour and should be distinguished from some expressions in t he literature.