Abstract: The ASTM E399 test method is used to determine the plane-strain fracture toughness, K (sub IC), for metallic materials. The test consists of monotonically loading a pre-cracked test specimen to failure while recording the applied load and the crack mouth opening displacement. Several test specimen types are allowable per ASTM E399; two common geometries are the compact tension (C(T)) and the single-edge bend (SE(B)) geometries. The test result is an estimate of the plane-strain fracture tough…