Advantages of the J-integral approach for calculating stress intensity factors when using the commercial finite element software ABAQUS

A predictive method for remaining component lifetime evaluation consists in integrating the crack growth law of the material considered in a finite element step-by-step process. So, as part of a linear elastic fracture mechanics analysis, the determination of the stress intensity factor distribution is a crucial point. The aim of the present work is to test several existing numerical techniques reported in the literature. Both the crack opening displacement extrapolation method and the J-integral approach are applied in 2D and 3D ABAQUS finite element models. The results obtained by these various means on CT specimens and cracked round bars are in good agreement with those found in the literature. Nevertheless, since the knowledge of the field near the crack tip is not required in the energetic method, the J-integral calculations seem to be a good technique to deal with the fatigue growth of general cracks.