Damage-Coupled Progressive Failure and Yield Line Analyses of Metal Plates

Continuum damage mechanics based progressive failure analysis of an aluminum alloy AL2024-T3 plate has been carried out. Isotropic continuum damage mechanics model proposed by Chandrakanth and Pandey in 1995 has been implemented in a nonlinear finite element computational scheme based on damage-coupled and damage-uncoupled elastoplastic constitutive relationship. In order to model the progressive growth of damage and plasticity from extreme fibers toward the neutral axis, discrete layered approach has been adopted in the formulation using Ahmed’s degenerate isoparametric shell element, which accounts for shear deformation. A critical damage criteria is used for determining the onset and propagation of failure in the plate. Damage-coupled and damage-uncoupled analyses have been carried out on rectangular and triangular plates of aluminum alloy Al2024-T3. Yield line patterns have been generated using extensive nonlinear progressive failure analysis and comparison with conventional yield line analysis has been made. It is envisioned that employing the methodology presented herein, yield line pattern generation for structural components with complex shapes can be obtained, which would significantly assist engineers in analysis and design of structures.