ABSTRACT
The compliance ¢ is inferred from either experiment or LEFM theory as may be. Although not presented or rationalised in this way, the concept clearly gives a result equal to J for those cases, which as already noted include a number of test-piece configurations other than CCP, for which '10 ~ '1eI' It is a separate feature of some equivalent energy test data that Uo is assessed at maximum load rather than at a defined point of crack initiation. Use of maximum load toughness is discussed in Chapter 5, be it in terms of J or COD or other parameters.
