Sharp V-notches in viscoplastic solids: strain energy rate density rule and fracture toughness

Different from Neuber’s rule or Glinka’s energy method which are always adopted to characterize the notch tip field under elastoplastic condition, in this paper the strain energy rate density (SERD) rule is used for viscoplastic materials. In particular, based on the definition of generalized notch stress intensity factor (G-NSIF) for sharp V-notch in viscoplastic solids, the concept of SERD for sharp V-notch in viscoplastic solids is presented. Subsequently, by taking as a starting point the SERD, the averaged strain energy density (SED) for sharp V-notch in viscoplastic solids is derived with integration of time. The fracture toughness relation between sharp V-notch specimens and crack specimen in viscoplastic materials is given based on the transformation of SERD. A numerical approach is presented to compute the SERD and SED based on finite element method. Some crucial comments on the G-NSIF have been discussed. Some typical solutions for SERD and SED for sharp V-notched specimens are investigated.