Hybrid method in elastic and elastoplastic fracture mechanics

The utility of the hybrid experimental-numerical method in elastic and elas toplastic fracture mechanics is demonstrated through a fracture process zon e analysis and a J-integral computation, respectively. For the former, the crack bridging stresses in the fracture process zones of concrete and alumi na fracture specimens were determined through an inverse analysis and the d issipated energies in these zones were quantified. For the latter, J-integr al was shown to be highly path dependent with stable crack growth. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.