Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

This paper presents some advances of finite element explicit formulation for simulation of metal forming processes. Because of their computational efficiency, finite element programs based on the explicit dynamic formulation proved to be a very attractive tool for the simulation of metal forming processes. The use of explicit programs in the sheet forming simulation is quite common, the possibilities of these codes in bulk forming simulation in our opinion are still not exploited sufficiently. In our paper, we will consider aspects of bulk forming simulation. We will present new formulations and algorithms developed for bulk metal forming within the explicit formulation. An extension of a finite element code for the thermomechanical coupled analysis is discussed. A new thermomechanical constitutive model developed by the authors and implemented in the program is presented. A new formulation based on the so-called split algorithm allows us to use linear triangular and tetrahedral elements in the analysis of large plastic deformations characteristic to forming processes. Linear triangles and tetrahedra have many advantages over quadrilateral and hexahedral elements. Linear triangles and tetrahedra based on the standard formulations exhibit volumetric locking and are not suitable for large plastic strain simulation. The new formulation allows to overcome this difficulty. New formulations and algorithms have been implemented in the finite element code Stampack developed at the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering in Barcelona. Numerical examples illustrate some of the possibilities of the finite element code developed and validate new algorithms.

Explicit formulation, Forming simulation, Split algorithm

An anisotropic hardening model for soils is proposed by applying the concept of a field of hardening moduli developed previously for metals. Besides the yield surface, a set of nesting surfaces in the stress-space specifies the variation of hardening moduli during the deformation process. Both drained and undrained soil behaviour can be treated and distortional as well as volumetric strain cycles can be considered. The model can be applied in studying soil behaviour under cyclic loading and in particular to describe densification or liquefaction phenomena.