AbstractThe object of this work is to discuss a further improvement of the material force method for non‐linear hyperelastostatic fracture mechanics. We investigate the accuracy of the material force method within a ‘modified boundary layer’‐formulation using a Ramberg–Osgood material type for the sake of comparison. The proposed improvement leads to a reliable and very accurate method to compute the vectorial J‐integral in fracture mechanics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.