Evaluating J-integral and Q parameter in high-density polyethylene using a combined experimental finite element method

This work introduces a combined experimental finite element method (FEM) to calculate J-integral and Q parameter for centre-crack tension of high-density polyethylene specimens. In the majority of the studies to date, mostly a pure FEM has been used. However, the several simplified assumptions that are included in such models could result in imperfect predictions. This study aims to overcome this issue by suggesting a novel method that privileges from the displacement fields on specimens' surface that is provided for our finite element model. The method introduced in this work has a merit in presenting Q results for a softening material. The results of our proposed method were in a satisfactory agreement with the pure FEM results of similar models, and thereby validating our approach. Using this model, the effects of parameters like crack length and thickness were also investigated. This method could be utilized in health monitoring of structures.