[en] For a compact tension specimen, the stress intensity factor K/sub 1/ is numerically evaluated by the following five methods: - the J line-integral;- the strain energy release rate G, based on a crack extension by nodal release;- the displacement extrapolation, based on data from different nodal points along a chosen radius;- the displacement extrapolation, based on data from crack tip elements. For the given finite element mesh, the stress intensity factor K/sub 1/ as obtained with the J line-integral or with the strain energy release rate G based on the virtual crack extension method shows at most a 0.4% difference from the values given in the ASTM code E399-83. With the other methods, the results vary up to as much as 10%. The path-dependence was studied for both methods, the line-integral and the energy release rate G, based on virtual crack extension. In addition, the influence of the order of integration for the evaluation of the element stiffness matrices and of the singularity in the crack tip area were analysed. The results obtained when assuming elastic-plastic material behaviour will be presented in a forthcoming report. (author)