In this paper, a novel method has been used to increase the fracture force by using some geometric modifications to an edge crack specimen. A considerable difference between the experimental fracture force of different modified specimens is observed. This difference can be related to the geometry and loading condition on the crack propagation behavior. The finite element results show that the geometric modifications clearly reduced the average stress values near the crack tip at the process zone. Moreover, fracture theory data are in good agreement with the experimental fracture results of the geometrically modified specimens.
