This work focuses on the evaluation procedure to determine the elastic-plastic fracture toughness J-integral based upon the η-method for welded SE(T) fracture specimens. The primary objective of this investigation is to address the significance of the η-factor on accurate and robust estimates of J clamped single edge notch tension (SE(T)) specimens using load-displacement records. Very detailed non-linear finite element analyses for plane-strain models provide the evolution of load with increased load-line displacement to define the applied load as a separable function dependent upon crack geometry, strength mismatch level and specimen deformation. The analyses reveal that η-factors for clamped SE(T) fracture specimens based on load-line displacement (LLD) records and plastic area are relatively insensitive to weld strength mismatch.

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