Transferability of results of small scale experiments to real structures

Numerical evaluations in combination with experiments on the basis of the J-integral methods are a necessary step in the chain of transferability from small specimens to real structures.For three cases, single-edge notched specimens of different thicknesses, flat plates under tension containing two through-cracks and side-grooved compact specimens of various steels, both finite element calculations including crack growth and experiments using the partial unloading technique were performed.The results show a good agreement of the experimental and numerical J-values and confirm the experimental procedure to evaluate J from the work done on the specimen.Moreover, for the single-edge notched specimen the strong influence of the angular stiffness of the loading system on the specimen behaviour is demonstrated.