On numerical application of J-integral to welded joints

In this paper, finite element analyses of the J-integral extended to the problem of a crack in heterogeneous materials were carried out on compact tension type welded joints in order to clarify the unsymmetric deformation characteristics of welded joints, the fracture path in mixed mode conditions and the relation between J-integral and total/local crack tip opening displacement. Through calculation results, the validity of the crack tip characterizing of the J-integral was proved. It was confirmed that the J-integral correlated to the total crack tip opening displacement.