Finite element calculation of energy release rate prior to crack kinking in 2-D solids

A finite element approach, based on the concept of the J_k-integrals, is derived for evaluations of the ERR associated with crack kinking in 2-D elastic anisotropic solids. The application is developed as a generalized version of the domain integral method. Attention in this work is also addressed to the interpretation of the physical meaning for out formulation, which is shown to correspond with the pre-kinking fracture behaviour and should be distinguished from some expressions in the literature.