In this paper computational fracture analysis results for four different sp
ecimens are presented and discussed with regard to 3D and mode coupling eff
ects. The specimens under consideration are a center cracked tension specim
en, with a crack inclined to the loading direction, a single edge notch spe
cimen under out-of-plane shear deformation, a quarter circular corner crack
specimen subject to shear deformation and a three point bending specimen w
ith a crack inclined to the mid plane between the supports. The numerical f
racture analysis results are based on two different approaches. The stress
intensity factor results are determined from the singular stress fields alo
ng the crack front and the strain energy release rate results are obtained
by means of the modified virtual crack closure integral method. In all case
s under consideration the computational results from the two different appr
oaches agree very well. Furthermore, the agreement with the global behavior
of the reference solutions is also good. However, significant deviations a
re found between the computational and the reference results regarding loca
l 3D and mode coupling effects, which seem not to be covered sufficiently b
y the reference solutions available in stress analysis handbooks or the lit
erature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.