Effect of U-notch depth on the J-integral for Bainitic functionally graded steel

In this paper, the effect of notch depth on the J-integral in the plates made of Bainitic functionally graded and weakened by U-notch under mode I loading was investigated. Functionally graded steels (FGSs) consist of ferrite (α), austenite (M), bainite (β) and martensite (M) co-existing in different configurations and produced via electro slag remelting (ESR). In the present work, a Bainitic functionally graded steel in the form of divider configuration was made and the J-integral was investigated. Moreover, the effect of notch depth on the critical load and critical J-integral was investigated. The results show a good agreement between the Finite element results taken from commercial ABAQUS software with the experimental ones. The results show that the critical fracture load decreases by increasing the notch depth. Moreover, the critical J-integral increases by increasing the notch depth.