Calculation of fracture mechanics parameters for an arbitrary three‐dimensional crack, by the ‘equivalent domain integral’ method

In this paper, an equivalent domain integral (EDI) method and the attendant numerical algorithms are presented for the computation of a near‐crack‐tip field parameter, the vector J ϵ ‐integral, and its variation along the front of an arbitrary three‐dimensional crack in a structural component. Account is taken of possible non‐elastic strains present in the structure; in this case the near‐tip J ϵ ‐values may be significantly different from the far‐field values J f , especially under non‐proportional loading.