Font Size: 

The nondimensional plasticity rotational parameter, providing information on the effective location of the instantaneous centre of rotation, is very useful when evaluating material toughness in terms of Crack Opening Displacement or Crack Tip Opening Angle by means of Three Point Bending specimens. In the scientific literature there is a wide availability of empirical formulae for its estimate. Here a new approach is proposed, based on the use of a Finite Element code allowing a step by step estimate of the main kinematical parameters during the specimen rupture. Empirical and numerical results are compared and an analysis of the effect of main simulation parameters on the value of the nondimensional plasticity rotational parameter is performed.