Effect of yield surface vertex on crack-tip fields in mode III

An asymptotic crack-tip analysis of stress and strain fields is carried out for an antiplane shear crack (Mode III) based on a corner theory of plasticity. Because of the nonproportional loading history experienced by a material element near the crack tip in stable crack growth, classical flow theory may predict an overly stiff response of the elastic plastic solid, as is the case in plastic buckling problems. The corner theory used here accounts for this anomalous behavior. The results are compared with those of a similar analysis based on the J₂ flow theory of plasticity.     

The effects of overloads on sustained-load crack growth in a nickel-base superalloy: part I—analysis

Analytical procedures are presented for predicting the retardation effects of cyclic overloads on the sustained load crack growth rate in Inconel 718 at 649°C. The Wheeler model is used in a crack growth computer program, CRACKS, by representing sustained load by equivalent fatigue cycles per unit time and an equivalent stress ratio, R. A new model, the exponential overload (EXPOL) model, is developed based on the concept of a crack growing at a retarded rate through an overload plastic zone. The analytical procedures use a minimum of empirical constants and are capable of accurately representing the time-dependent sustained load crack growth behavior with single or Multiple cyclic overloads.     

Plastic buckling of cylindrical shells under biaxial loading

The predictions for plastic buckling of shells are significantly affected by the plasticity model employed, in particular in the case of nonproportional loading. A series of experiments on plastic buckling of cylindrical aluminum alloy shells under biaxial loading (external pressure and axial tension), with well-defined loading and boundary conditions, was therefore carried out to provide experimental data for evaluation of the suitability of different, plasticity models. In the experiments, initial imperfections and their growth under load were measured and special attention was paid to buckling detection and load path control. The Southwell plot was applied with success to smooth the results. The results show that axial tension decreases resistance to buckling under external pressure in the plastic region due to softening of the material behavior. Comparison with numerical calculations usingJ ₂ deformation and incremental theories indicate that both theories do not predict correctly plastic buckling under nonproportional loading.Babcock (SEM Member), deceased, was Professor of Aeronautics and Applied Mechanics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125.     

A damage model for crack initiation and growth

A damage accumulation model is presented for the study of the problem of crack initiation and stable growth in an elastic-plastic material. A centre-cracked specimen subjected to a uniform stress perpendicular to the crack plane is considered. A coupled stress and failure analysis is performed by using a finite element computer program based on J₂-plasticity theory in conjunction with the strain energy density theory. After initial yielding, each material element follows a different equivalent uniaxial stress-strain behavior depending on the amount of energy dissipation by permanent deformation. A host of uniaxial stress-strain curves constituting parts of the same stress-strain curve were assigned to material elements for each increment of loading. The path-dependent nature of the onset of crack initiation and growth was revealed. The proposed model predicts faster crack growth rates than those obtained on the basis of a single uniaxial stress-strain curve and is closer to experimental observation.     

On the extension of the Gurson-type porous plasticity models for prediction of ductile fracture under shear-dominated conditions

One of the major drawbacks of the Gurson-type of porous plasticity models is the inability of these models to predict material failure under low stress triaxiality, shear dominated conditions. This study addresses this issue by combining the damage mechanics concept with the porous plasticity model that accounts for void nucleation, growth and coalescence. In particular, the widely adopted Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) model is extended by coupling two damage parameters, representing the volumetric damage (void volume fraction) and the shear damage, respectively, into the yield function and flow potential. The effectiveness of the new model is illustrated through a series of numerical tests comparing its performance with existing models. The current model not only is capable of predicting damage and fracture under low (even negative) triaxiality conditions but also suppresses spurious damage that has been shown to develop in earlier modifications of the GTN model for moderate to high triaxiality regimes. Finally the modified GTN model is applied to predict the ductile fracture behavior of a beta-treated Zircaloy-4 by coupling the proposed damage modeling framework with a recently developed J₂–J₃ plasticity model for the matrix material. Model parameters are calibrated using experimental data, and the calibrated model predicts failure initiation and propagation in various specimens experiencing a wide range of triaxiality and Lode parameter combinations.     

Influence of molecular parameters on the stress dependence of viscous and elastic properties of polypropylene melts in shear

The stress dependencies of the steady-state viscosity η and, particularly, that of the steady-state elastic compliance J _e of various linear isotactic polypropylenes (PP) and one long-chain branched PP are investigated using creep-recovery tests. The creep stresses applied range from 2 to 10,000 Pa. In order to discuss the stress-dependent viscosity η and elastic compliance J _e with respect to the influence of the weight average molar mass M _w and the polydispersity factor M _w/M _n the PP are characterized by SEC–MALLS. For the linear PP, linear steady-state elastic compliances J_e⁰J_{\rm e}^0 in the range of 10^− 5–10^− 3 Pa^− 1 are obtained depending on the molar mass distribution. J_e⁰J_{\rm e}^0 of the LCB-PP is distinctly higher and comes to lie at around 10^− 2 Pa^− 1. J_e⁰J_{\rm e}^0 is found to be independent of M _w but strongly dependent on polydispersity. η and J _e decrease with increasing stress. For the linear PP, J _e as a function of the stress τ is temperature independent. The higher M _w/M _n the stronger is the shear thinning of η and the more pronounced is the stress dependence of J _e. For the LCB-PP, the strongest stress dependence of η and J _e is observed. Furthermore, for all PP J _e reacts more sensitively to an increasing stress than η. A qualitative explanation for the stronger stress dependence of J _e compared to η is given by analyzing the contribution of long relaxation times to the viscosity and elasticity.     

Effects of the stress state on plasticity and ductile failure of an aluminum 5083 alloy

The experimental and numerical work presented in this paper reveals that stress state has strong effects on both the plastic response and the ductile fracture behavior of an aluminum 5083 alloy. As a result, the hydrostatic stress and the third invariant of the stress deviator (which is related to the Lode angle) need to be incorporated in the material modeling. These findings challenge the classical J₂ plasticity theory and provide a blueprint for the establishment of the stress state dependent plasticity and ductile fracture models for aluminum structural reliability assessments. Further investigations are planned to advance, calibrate and validate the new plasticity and ductile fracture models.     

Influence of stress triaxiality and temperature on void growth and ductile/brittle transition behavior of 40 Cr steel

Examined experimentally are the influence of stress triaxiality and temperature on the growth of microvoids and the ductile/brittle transition (DBT) macrobehavior of 40 Cr steel subjected to two different heat treatments. This is accomplished by testing more than 300 smooth and notched specimens over a temperature range of 20°C to −196°C. Changes in the microstructure morphology are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and identified with fracture data on a surface constructed from the uniaxial strain ε_c at fracture, the stress triaxiality R_σ and the temperature T. While stress triaxiality has a significant influence on the DBT temperature T_c, it does not affect the ratio of the average radius of voids R_o to that of inclusions R_i. The ratio R_o/R_i is found to increase with temperature and remains constant in specimens with different notch radii regardless of the temperature. Empirical relations between T_c and R_σ⁻ and R_o/R_i and T are proposed to better understand how macrofracture parameters are influenced by microstructure entities.     

Irreversibility and damage of SAFC-40R steel specimen in uniaxial tension

Macroscopic material damage is detected and assessed for the SAFC-40R steel specimen in uniaxial tension even when the stress responded linearly with strain. As the loading increased monotonically at a rate of 0.2 cm/min, the specimen first absorbed heat from the surrounding and then released heat when the strain is almost five times beyond the so-called “elastic limit”. In other words, the specimen undergoes cooling and heating with reference to the ambient temperature. This phenomenon is predicted theoretically for the first time by application of the energy density theory and the results agreed well with experimental data. Obtained is the H-function that possesses a distinct threshold at time between 21 and 22 seconds after loading. This transition is defined as the onset of disorder at which point the energy dissipation density D increases suddenly by one order of magnitude. The corresponding uniaxial stress and strain are 194.4 MPa and 0.9764·10⁻³ cm/cm, respectively. These values are lower than those normally referred to at the yield point.     

Meshless analysis of plasticity with application to crack growth problems

The governing equations for classical rate-independent plasticity are formulated in the framework of meshless method. The special J₂ flow theory for three-dimensional, two-dimensional plane strain and plane stress problems are presented. The numerical procedures, including return mapping algorithm, to obtain the solutions of boundary-value problems in computational plasticity are outlined. For meshless analysis the special treatment of the presence of barriers and mirror symmetries is formulated. The crack growth process in elastic–plastic solid under plane strain and plane stress conditions is analyzed. Numerical results are presented and discussed.     

Rheological yield condition

Summary One of the main problems in Rheology is the determination of the yield condition for which no satisfactory form seems to exist. If a start is made with the stress tensor field, one soon runs into a number of difficulties. It is therefore better to deal with the geometry of the field. The change from elastic to plastic deformation can be interpreted as a mapping of one space into another, and the yield as an asymptotic sub-space. If the elastic strain field ise _ij , whose invariants areJ ₁,J ₂,J ₃, then an asymptotic behaviour may be represented by the existence of a functional relationf(J ₁, J₂,J ₃) = 0, between theJ's, which are independent of one another in the normal part of the field.This does not fix the nature of the functionf, for which we can invoke the additional geometric condition that yielding can result from infinite contraction or expansion of a macro-element. Thus theJacobian of the mapping must take on the singular values zero or infinite. These concepts give rise to the yield condition in the strain tensor field in the form 8J ₃ – 4J ₂ + 2J ₁ 1.If generalized measure of strain is used, which is necessary for creep problems, this takes the formn ³ J ₃ –n ² J ₂ +nJ ₁ 1.n being a real constant, which is equal to 2 for theAlmansi measure. These conditions do not depend on either the isotropicity or homogeneity of the field, and hence should be used for all types of yield conditions.     

Effect of transverse cracks on the mechanical properties of angle-ply composites laminates

A modified shear lag analysis, taking into account the notion of stress perturbation function, is employed to evaluate the effect of transverse cracks on the stiffness reduction in [±θ_n/90_m]_S angle-ply laminated composites. Effects of number of 90° layers and number of ±θ layers on the laminate stiffness have also been studied. The present results represent well the dependence of the degradation of mechanical properties on the fibre orientation angle of the outer layers, the number of cracked cross-ply layers and the number of uncracked outer ±θ layers in the laminate.     

Cyclic ratchetting of 1070 steel under multiaxial stress states

Cyclic ratchetting behavior of 1070 steel is studied under proportional and nonproportional loading with specific emphasis on the ratchetting rate decay mechanisms for large numbers of loading cycles. Under proportional loading, where the principal stress directions are unchanged, the ratchetting evolves in the mean stress direction. Under nonproportional loading, however, the ratchetting direction is determined by the loading path and can be different from the mean stress direction. The ratchetting rate decreases with increasing loading cycles, displaying a power law relationship with the number of loading cycles. The experimental ratchetting results indicate that under cyclic loading the material exhibits a tendency toward complying with a linear hardening rule with concomitant hysteresis loop closure. Based on the fundamental framework of plasticity theory and detailed evaluation of the stress-strain behaviors, the ratchetting can be classified into two basic types; Type I, which is identifiable with proportional loading where the ratchetting is due to the different values of the plastic modulus function at the symmetric loading points with respect to the mean stress state, and Type II, which represents nonproportional loading where the ratchetting is driven by the noncoincidence of the plastic strain rate vector and the translation direction of the yield surface (backstress rate vector). The Armstrong-Frederick-based plasticity models modified by Chaboche et al. and Bower are ill-suited for describing the experimental results of both types of ratchetting. The Ohno-Wang model, which introduces a threshold concept, can account for the ratchetting rate decay of Type II ratchetting, providing results that agree with experimental observations. Modification may be needed for the Ohno-Wang model so that the model can better describe Type I ratchetting.     

Elastic-plastic behaviour of dual-phase, high-strength steel under strain-path changes

The elastic-plastic behaviour of dual-phase, high-strength steel sheets under two-stage strain-path changes has been investigated. Three different loading sequences, namely monotonic, 45° tensile path changes and orthogonal tensile path changes complied by sequences of simple uniaxial tensile tests, were analysed at room temperature. From the experiments, it was found that there is a considerable reduction of the initial flow stress over the strain-path changes. The transient softening phenomenon is observed to be a function of orientation, and the period of the transient behaviour following the strain-path change is lengthened with the amount of pre-strain. A constitutive model is adopted that includes combined isotropic and kinematic hardening and is capable of describing the marked transient softening behaviour after the pre-straining. The experimental stress–strain behaviour subsequent to the strain path change is predicted with reasonable accuracy, while the model fails to accurately describe the transient, deformation-induced anisotropy in the plastic flow.     

Experimental investigation of initial and subsequent yield surfaces for laminated metal matrix composites

The aim of this work is to construct yield surfaces to describe initial yielding and characterize hardening behavior of a highly anisotropic material. A methodology for constructing yield surfaces for isotropic materials using axial–torsion loading is extended to highly anisotropic materials. The technique uses a sensitive definition of yielding based on permanent strain rather than offset strain, and enables multiple yield points and multiple yield surfaces to be conducted on a single specimen. A target value of 20 × 10⁻⁶ is used for Al₂O₃ fiber reinforced aluminum laminates having a fiber volume fraction of 0.55. Sixteen radial probes are used to define the yield locus in the axial–shear stress plane. Initial yield surfaces for [0₄], [90₄], and [0/90]₂ fibrous aluminum laminates are well described by ellipses in the axial–shear stress plane having aspect ratios of 10, 2.5, and 3.3, respectively. For reference, the aspect ratio of the Mises ellipse for an isotropic material is 1.73. Initial yield surfaces do not have a tension–compression asymmetry. Four overload profiles (plus, ex, hourglass, and zee) are applied to characterize hardening of a [0/90]₂ laminate by constructing 30 subsequent yield surfaces. Parameters to describe the center and axes of an ellipse are regressed to the yield points. The results clearly indicate that kinematic hardening dominates so that material state evolution can be described by tracking the center of the yield locus. For a nonproportional overload of (σ, τ) = (500, 70) MPa, the center of the yield locus translated to (σ, τ) = (430, 37) MPa and the ellipse major axis was only 110 MPa.     

Nonequilibrium thermal/mechanical response of 6061 aluminum alloy at elevated temperature

This work is concerned with the thermal/mechanical characterization of the 6061 aluminum alloy stretched uniaxially in an elevated temperature environment. The resulting response is one of nonequilibrium where each local element reacts differently in terms of stress, strain and temperature. That is, the local strain and temperature rate change from one location to another with time. While the initial temperature in both the specimen and its surrounding are kept constant, thermal oscillation occurs when the specimen is strained uniaxially. The temperature in the solid decreases at first below the reference state and then increases. A reversal of heat flow takes place between the specimen and surrounding medium which typifies the nonequilibrium character of thermal/mechanical behavior in uniaxial specimens.Numerical results are obtained for loading rate of 1.27 × 10⁻⁴cm/s with initial equilibrium temperature of 25°, 75°, 125° and 175° C. Determined are the nonequilibrium conditions in the solid and on the surface. This is accomplished by considering a two-phase medium such that the surrounding air or gas can interact with the solid, both thermally and mechanically. The state of affairs at or near the solid/gas interface are transient in character; they cannot be preassigned as boundary conditions. The a priori specification of temperature and/or its gradient on solid cannot be justified as it can seriously affect analytical predictions.     

Time dependent damage in half-plane part 2: Traction loading

Transient time dependent stress and strain distribution are obtained for a half-plane made of 4340 steel. A traction load is applied dynamically at a global strain rate of 5·10² s⁻¹. Unlike the classical theory of incremental plasticity, that assumes the same constitutive relation for all elements, the surface/volume energy density theory derives the uniaxial constitutive equation for each element individually according to the local strain rate and strain rate history. Meterial elements are shown to undergo cooling and heating as a result of thermal/mechanical interaction. The equivalent uniaxial response for the traction boundary condition therefore differed from that of the displacement boundary condition considered in Part 1 [1] of this communication. Effective stress and effective strain variations for the local elements next to the applied load exhibited considerable softening after hardening while the plasticity solution increased monotonically. These differences are attributed to the neglect of dilatational and change in local strain rate effects in plasticity in addition to assuming that unloading is parallel to the load path. Damage of the material elements is also discussed in connection with the surface and volume energy density when they reach their respective critical values.     

Experimental study of the phase transformation plasticity of 16MND5 low carbon steel under multiaxial loading

This paper is concerned with the experimental behaviour of a 16MND5 steel (french vessel steel) under complex loading. A particular attention is paid to plasticity induced by phase transformation. We present an experimental set-up to apply thermo-mechanical loads under tension-torsion. This apparatus enables us to reach temperature of 1200 °C at a maximum heating rate of 60 °C s⁻¹ and a high cooling rate of −30 °C s⁻¹. A series of tests is performed in order to show the rule of loading on transformation plasticity.