An Appraisal of a Recent Analysis for Estimating the Plastic Component of the Deformation J Integral for a Stationary Crack

This paper provides an appraisal of a recent analysis for estimating the plastic component of the deformation J integral for a stationary crack. Such an estimation is a prerequisite when describing ductile crack extension in nuclear reactor pressure vessel materials. The assumptions in the analysis are emphasized, and the approximations arising as a consequence of introducing these assumptions are demonstrated.