A common format approach for the ductile fracture method using a displacement-based normalization parameter

The Ductile Fracture Method (DFM) proposed by Ernst and Landes and further developed by Landes and coworkers is examined in conjunction with the Common Format Equation (CFE) proposed by Donoso and Landes. The DFM can be used to predict tie load versus displacement behavior for a structure from the load versus displacement record for a fracture toughness test specimen. This involves a calibration function transformation procedure which is often laborious. Bur, it will be shown here that using the CFE approach with an adequate normalizing parameter for the deformation function, H, the transformation procedure can be virtually eliminated. As a consequence, the predictions done by the DFM can be completed in a shorter time. The equations which originated the CFE approach are reviewed to show that the modification proposed in this paper is necessary for H to get closer to a unique representation, independent of the geometry. Some examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.