State update algorithm for isotropic elastoplasticity by incremental energy minimization

An original state update algorithm for the numerical integration of rate independent small strain elastoplastic constitutive models, treating in a unified manner a wide class of yield functions depending on all three stress invariants, is proposed. The algorithm is based on an incremental energy minimization approach, in the framework of generalized standard materials with convex free‐energy and dissipation potential. Under the assumption of isotropic material behavior, implying coaxiality of trial stress, increment of plastic strain, and updated stress, the problem is reduced from dimension six to three. Then, exploiting the cylindrical tensor basis associated with Haigh–Westergaard coordinates, the problem is recast in terms of two nested scalar equations. The proposed algorithm (i) exhibits global convergence even for yield functions with difficult features, such as not being defined on the whole stress space, or implying high‐curvature points of the yield domain, and (ii) requires no matrix inversion. After the tensor reconstruction of the unknowns, a simple expression for the algorithmic consistent material tangent is derived. The algorithm is validated by comparison with benchmark semi‐analytic solutions. Numerical results on single material points and finite element simulations are reported for assessing its accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. A Matlab implementation is provided as supplementary material. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Locally enhanced Voronoi cell finite element model (LE‐VCFEM) for simulating evolving fracture in ductile microstructures containing inclusions

Ductile heterogeneous materials such as cast aluminum alloys undergo catastrophic failure that initiates with particle fragmentation, which evolves with void growth and coalescence in localized bands of intense plastic deformation and strain softening. The Voronoi cell finite element model (VCFEM), based on the assumed stress hybrid formulation, is unable to account for plastic strain‐induced softening. To overcome this shortcoming of material softening due to plastic strain localization, this study introduces a locally enhanced VCFEM (LE‐VCFEM) for modeling the very complex phenomenon of ductile failure in heterogeneous metals and alloys. In LE‐VCFEM, finite deformation displacement elements are adaptively added to regions of localization in the otherwise assumed stress‐based hybrid Voronoi cell finite element to locally enhance modeling capabilities for ductile fracture. Adaptive h‐refinement is used for the displacement elements to improve accuracy. Damage initiation by particle cracking is triggered by a Weibull model. The nonlocal Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman model of porous plasticity is implemented in LE‐VCFEM to model matrix cracking. An iterative strain update algorithm is used for the displacement elements. The LE‐VCFEM code is validated by comparing with results of conventional FE codes and experiments with real materials. The effect of various microstructural morphological characteristics is also investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Topology optimization of finite strain viscoplastic systems under transient loads

A transient finite strain viscoplastic model is implemented in a gradient‐based topology optimization framework to design impact mitigating structures. The model's kinematics relies on the multiplicative split of the deformation gradient, and the constitutive response is based on isotropic hardening viscoplasticity. To solve the mechanical balance laws, the implicit Newmark‐beta method is used together with a total Lagrangian finite element formulation. The optimization problem is regularized using a partial differential equation filter and solved using the method of moving asymptotes. Sensitivities required to solve the optimization problem are derived using the adjoint method. To demonstrate the capability of the algorithm, several protective systems are designed, in which the absorbed viscoplastic energy is maximized. The numerical examples demonstrate that transient finite strain viscoplastic effects can successfully be combined with topology optimization.     

Mixed finite element method for coupled thermo‐hydro‐mechanical process in poro‐elasto‐plastic media at large strains

A mixed finite element for coupled thermo‐hydro‐mechanical (THM) analysis in unsaturated porous media is proposed. Displacements, strains, the net stresses for the solid phase; pressures, pressure gradients, Darcy velocities for pore water and pore air phases; temperature, temperature gradients, the total heat flux are interpolated as independent variables. The weak form of the governing equations of coupled THM problems in porous media within the element is given on the basis of the Hu–Washizu three‐filed variational principle. The proposed mixed finite element formulation is derived. The non‐linear version of the element formulation is further derived with particular consideration of the THM constitutive model for unsaturated porous media based on the CAP model. The return mapping algorithm for the integration of the rate constitutive equation, the consistent elasto‐plastic tangent modulus matrix and the element tangent stiffness matrix are developed. For geometrical non‐linearity, the co‐rotational formulation approach is utilized. Numerical results demonstrate the capability and the performance of the proposed element in modelling progressive failure characterized by strain localization and the softening behaviours caused by thermal and chemical effects. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the strong discontinuity approach in finite deformation settings

Taking the strong discontinuity approach as a framework for modelling displacement discontinuities and strain localization phenomena, this work extends previous results in infinitesimal strain settings to finite deformation scenarios. By means of the strong discontinuity analysis, and taking isotropic damage models as target continuum (stress–strain) constitutive equation, projected discrete (tractions–displacement jumps) constitutive models are derived, together with the strong discontinuity conditions that restrict the stress states at the discontinuous regime. A variable bandwidth model, to automatically induce those strong discontinuity conditions, and a discontinuous bifurcation procedure, to determine the initiation and propagation of the discontinuity, are briefly sketched. The large strain counterpart of a non‐symmetric finite element with embedded discontinuities, frequently considered in the strong discontinuity approach for infinitesimal strains, is then presented. Finally, some numerical experiments display the theoretical issues, and emphasize the role of the large strain kinematics in the obtained results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Energy-based variational modeling of adiabatic shear bands structure evolution

A novel energy-based variational approach is proposed for modeling adiabatic shear band (ASB) structure evolution, including elasticity, work hardening, and heat conduction. Conservation laws are formulated as a mathematical optimization problem with respect to a limited set of scalars. Consequently, by means of canonical expressions of displacement and temperature, the bandwidth and the central temperature can be accurately computed as internal variables. Based on this thermo-mechanical coupled variational framework, we can verify the generality of the proposed analytical approach with respect to constitutive models, as illustrated through various thermal softening laws such as power laws or the popular Johnson–Cook model. In addition, accounting for work hardening and elasticity, we propose an effective (or macroscopic) thermo-elasto-viscoplastic model of the shear localization zone in transient regime. A new loading/unloading condition, stemming as a Kuhn–Tucker relation, is introduced for this variational model. The stress evolution and the capacity of the approach to handle cyclic loading are analyzed, presenting a very good correspondence with ASB simulations by finite element method.     

A non‐linear programming method approach for upper bound limit analysis

This paper presents a finite element model based on mathematical non‐linear programming in order to determine upper bounds of colapse loads of a mechanical structure. The proposed formulation is derived within a kinematical approach framework, employing two simultaneous and independent field approximations for the velocity and strain rate fields. The augmented Lagrangian is used to establish the compatibility between these two fields. In this model, only continuous velocity fields are used. Uzawa's minimization algorithm is applied to determine the optimal kinematical field that minimizes the difference between external and dissipated work rate. The use of this technique allows to bypass the complexity of the non‐linear aspects of the problem, since non‐linearity is addressed as a set of small local subproblems of optimization for each finite element. The obtained model is quite versatile and suitable for solving a wide range of collapse problems. This paper studies 3D strut‐and‐tie structures, 2D plane strain/stress and 3D solid problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Viscoplastic behaviour of stainless steels AISI 316L and 316H

Summary The theory of viscoplasticity based on total strain and overstress is used in order to simulate the sensitivity to the rate of loading of two commonly used stainless steels, namely AISI 316L and 316H. The consitutive model has been implemented within a transient finite element computer code using a stress update algorithm based on the elastic predictor-return mapping concept. Both monotonic and cyclic loading conditions are considered in one or more space dimensions. Experimental results showing strain-rate dependence at room temperature are reported for both types of steel and used for calibrating the viscoplastic numerical model. An explicit dependence of the nonlinear viscosity function on the strain rate has been obtained and the calibrated model is found to yield results which are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Finally the calibrated viscoplastic model is applied to predict the response of two representative structures subjected to impulsive loading. The results indicate a significant effect of the rate of loading on the internal stress distribution. With 21 Figures     

A mixed finite element for the nonlinear analysis of in-plane loaded masonry walls

A mixed membrane eight-node quadrilateral finite element for the analysis of masonry walls is presented. Assuming that a nonlinear and history-dependent 2D stress-strain constitutive law is used to model masonry material, the element derivation is based on a Hu-Washizu variational statement, involving displacement, strain, and stress fields as primary variables. As the behavior of masonry structures is often characterized by strain localization phenomena, due to strain softening at material level, a discontinuous, piecewise constant interpolation of the strain field is considered at element level, to capture highly nonlinear strain spatial distributions also within finite elements. Newton's method of solution is adopted for the element state determination problem. For avoiding pathological sensitivity to the finite element mesh, a novel algorithm is proposed to perform an integral-type nonlocal regularization of the constitutive equations in the present mixed formulation. By the comparison with competing serendipity displacement-based formulation, numerical simulations prove high performances of the proposed finite element, especially when coarse meshes are adopted.     

Micropolar hyper‐elastoplasticity: constitutive model,consistent linearization,and simulation of 3D scale effects

A computational model for micropolar hyperelastic‐based finite elastoplasticity that incorporates isotropic hardening is developed. The basic concepts of the non‐linear micropolar kinematic framework are reviewed, and a thermodynamically consistent constitutive model that features Neo‐Hooke‐type elasticity and generalized von Mises plasticity is described. The integration of the constitutive initial value problem is carried out by means of an elastic‐predictor/plastic‐corrector algorithm, which retains plastic incompressibility. The solution procedure is developed carefully and described in detail. The consistent material tangent is derived. The micropolar constitutive model is implemented in an implicit finite element framework. The numerical example of a notched cylindrical bar subjected to large axial displacements and large twist angles is presented. The results of the finite element simulations demonstrate (i) that the methodology is capable of capturing the size effect in three‐dimensional elastoplastic solids in the finite strain regime, (ii) that the formulation possesses a regularizing effect in the presence of strain localization, and (iii) that asymptotically quadratic convergence rates of the Newton–Raphson procedure are achieved. Throughout this paper, effort is made to present the developments as a direct extension of standard finite deformation computational plasticity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A continuum model for remodeling in living structures

A new remodeling theory accounting for mechanically driven collagen fiber reorientation in cardiovascular tissues is proposed. The constitutive equations for the living tissues are motivated by phenomenologically based microstructural considerations on the collagen fiber level. Homogenization from this molecular microscale to the macroscale of the cardiovascular tissue is performed via the concept of chain network models. In contrast to purely invariant-based macroscopic approaches, the present approach is thus governed by a limited set of physically motivated material parameters. Its particular feature is the underlying orthotropic unit cell which inherently incorporates transverse isotropy and standard isotropy as special cases. To account for mechanically induced remodeling, the unit cell dimensions are postulated to change gradually in response to mechanical loading. From an algorithmic point of view, rather than updating vector-valued microstructural directions, as in previously suggested models, we update the scalar-valued dimensions of this orthotropic unit cell with respect to the positive eigenvalues of a tensorial driving force. This update is straightforward, experiences no singularities and leads to a stable and robust remodeling algorithm. Embedded in a finite element framework, the algorithm is applied to simulate the uniaxial loading of a cylindrical tendon and the complex multiaxial loading situation in a model artery. After investigating different material and spatial stress and strain measures as potential driving forces, we conclude that the Cauchy stress, i.e., the true stress acting on the deformed configuration, seems to be a reasonable candidate to drive the remodeling process.     

Viscoplastic microstructural processes in solids under impulsive thermal loading

The stress–strain state of a disk caused by a thermal pulse is investigated within the framework of a dynamic coupled thermomechanics problem accounting for microstructural phase transformations caused by the heating and subsequent cooling of the material. The solution of the axisymmetric problem is obtained numerically from a thermodynamically consistent theory for the inelastic behavior of the material which takes into account the thermal dependencies of the material properties using the finite element method. The influence of the microstructural transformations on the dynamic and quasistatic response of the material as well as the residual stress–strain state within the irradiated zone are also studied in detail.     

Geometrically non‐linear thermoelastic analysis of functionally graded shells using finite element method

A finite element formulation governing the geometrically non‐linear thermoelastic behaviour of plates and shells made of functionally graded materials is derived in this paper using the updated Lagrangian approach. Derivation of the formulation is based on rewriting the Green–Lagrange strain as well as the 2nd Piola–Kirchhoff stress as two second‐order functions in terms of a through‐the‐thickness parameter. Material properties are assumed to vary through the thickness according to the commonly used power law distribution of the volume fraction of the constituents. Within a non‐linear finite element analysis framework, the main focus of the paper is the proposal of a formulation to account for non‐linear stress distribution in FG plates and shells, particularly, near the inner and outer surfaces for small and large values of the grading index parameter. The non‐linear heat transfer equation is also solved for thermal distribution through the thickness by the Rayleigh–Ritz method. Advantages of the proposed approach are assessed and comparisons with available solutions are presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A modified plasticity theory for porous metals

A plasticity theory for porous metals is proposed. A simple model of a porous materials is analysed by the finite element method. Small strain elastic–plastic analysis provides stress–strain curves, yield stressed and incremental plastic strain vectors for different void ratios. An assessment is made of an existing yield criterion for porous metals. A modified yield criterion and plastic potential function and, consequently, different plasticity equations are given. Reasonable agreement is obtained between the present numerical results and previous results in the literature.     

Numerical modeling of strain localization in engineering ductile materials combining cohesive models and X-FEM

The present work aims at numerically predicting the current residual strength of large engineering structures made of ductile metals against accidental failure. With this aim in view, the challenge consists in reproducing within a unified finite element-based methodology the successive steps of micro-voiding-induced damage, strain localization and crack propagation, if any. A key ingredient for a predictive ductile fracture model is the proper numerical treatment of the critical transition phase of damage-induced strain localization inside a narrow band. For this purpose, the strong discontinuity cohesive model and the eXtended Finite Element Method are combined. A propagation algorithm is proposed and studied in the context of ductile materials. Physics-motivated criteria to pass from the phase of more or less diffuse damage to strain localization and from strain localization to crack propoagation are proposed. Finally, a 2D numerical example is shown to study the performance of the failure analysis model when implemented into an engineering finite element computation code, namely Abaqus.     

Sensitivity of plastic strain localization zones to boundary and initial conditions

 The plastic strain localization phenomena are studied with the use of the theory of viscoplasticity and finite element method. The aim of the study is to check if the strain localization is sensitive to variation of initial and boundary conditions. Total and local plastic deformation energy as candidate response functionals for sensitivity analysis are discussed by selected numerical examples of wave propagation problems. The paper considers sensitivity of the form and intensity of plastic strain localization to the variation of the above parameters. Different response functionals for structures demonstrating plastic strain localization were proposed and studied. Received: 4 February 2002 / Accepted: 10 October 2002     

基于弹塑性损伤本构模型的复合材料层合板破坏荷载预测

在连续损伤力学和塑性力学框架内,建立一个同时考虑塑性效应和损伤累积导致材料属性退化的复合材料弹塑性损伤本构模型。基于最近点投影回映算法,开发本构模型的应变驱动隐式积分算法以更新应力及与解答相关的状态变量,并推导与所开发算法相应的数值一致性切线刚度矩阵,保证有限元分析采用NewtonRaphson迭代法解答非线性问题的计算效率。采用断裂带模型对已开发的本构模型软化段进行规则化,以减轻有限元分析结果的网格相关性问题。对损伤变量进行粘滞规则化,并推导出相应的粘滞规则化数值一致性切线刚度张量,解决了在有限元隐式计算程序中采用含应变软化段本构关系的数值分析由于计算困难而提前终止的问题。开发包含数值积分算法的用户材料子程序UMAT,并嵌于有限元程序Abaqus v6.14中。通过对力学行为展现显著塑性效应的AS4/3501-6V型开口复合材料层合板的渐进失效分析,验证本文提出的材料本构模型的有效性。结果显示,预测结果与已报道的试验结果吻合良好,并且预测精度高于其他已有弹性损伤模型。表明已建立的弹塑性损伤本构模型能够准确预测力学行为,展现显著塑性效应的复合材料层合板的破坏荷载,为其构件和结构设计提供一种有效的分析方法。     

Computational analysis of PTFE shaft seals

An endochronic viscoplastic approach, derived from the theory of finite viscoplasticity based on material isomorphisms, is presented, in order to describe the nonlinear material behaviour of filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a computational analysis of PTFE shaft seals. The model allows to characterize viscoplastic material behaviour with an equilibrium hysteresis using a rate-independent elastoplastic model (with an endochronic flow rule and a logarithmic elastic law) in parallel connection with a nonlinear Maxwell model. Due to the endochronic flow rule, an elastic range limited by a yield stress is not needed in the present approach. The volumetric stress contribution is assumed to be purely elastic. The proposed model is applied to simulate the mounting process of PTFE shaft seals in an axially symmetric finite element analysis. The numerical results (radial force, pressure in the contact zone) are in fair agreement with the experimental data.     

Stress and strain‐driven algorithmic formulations for finite strain viscoplasticity for hybrid and standard finite elements

This work deals with the formulation and implementation of finite deformation viscoplasticity within the framework of stress‐based hybrid finite element methods. Hybrid elements, which are based on a two‐field variational formulation, are much less susceptible to locking than conventional displacement‐based elements. The conventional return‐mapping scheme cannot be used in the context of hybrid stress methods since the stress is known, and the strain and the internal plastic variables have to be recovered using this known stress field. We discuss the formulation and implementation of the consistent tangent tensor, and the return‐mapping algorithm within the context of the hybrid method. We demonstrate the efficacy of the algorithm on a wide range of problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Capturing strain localization in dense sands with random density

This paper presents a three‐invariant constitutive framework suitable for the numerical analyses of localization instabilities in granular materials exhibiting unstructured random density. A recently proposed elastoplastic model for sands based on critical state plasticity is enhanced with the third stress invariant to capture the difference in the compressive and extensional yield strengths commonly observed in geomaterials undergoing plastic deformation. The new three‐invariant constitutive model, similar to its two‐invariant predecessor, is capable of accounting for meso‐scale inhomogeneities as well as material and geometric nonlinearities. Details regarding the numerical implementation of the model into a fully nonlinear finite element framework are presented and a closed‐form expression for the consistent tangent operator, whose spectral form is used in the strain localization analyses, is derived. An algorithm based on the spectral form of the so‐called acoustic tensor is proposed to search for the necessary conditions for deformation bands to develop. The aforementioned framework is utilized in a series of boundary‐value problems on dense sand specimens whose density fields are modelled as exponentially distributed unstructured random fields to account for the effect of inhomogeneities at the meso‐scale and the intrinsic uncertainty associated with them. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.