On two different inverse form finding methods for hyperelastic and elastoplastic materials

This contribution focuses on two different developments of mechanical-computational methods for the optimal determination of the initial shape of formed functional components knowing the deformed configuration, the applied loads and the boundary conditions. The first method uses an inverse mechanical formulation and can be applied to materials with hyperelastic behaviors. For materials with elastoplastic properties this method is not advocated, without knowing the final plastic strains, due to the non uniqueness of the solution. The second method uses a shape optimization formulation in the sense of an inverse problem via successive iterations of the direct problem. For hyperelastic materials the inverse mechanical formulation is preferred for its velocity and the non exhibition of possible mesh distortions. In the shape optimization formulation mesh distortions can be avoided by an update of the reference configuration of the functional part. Both methods are using a formulation in the logarithmic strain space. A numerical example for materials with isotropic elastoplastic behaviors illustrates the shape optimization formulation. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)