On Aifantis’ strain gradient plasticity theory accounting for plastic spin

This paper examines the effect of codirectionality hypothesis on Aifantis’ distortion gradient plasticity theory. The system of microforces includes microstress, power-conjugate to the Burgers tensor rate. The proposed codirectionality hypothesis assumes, that the flow direction and the plastic microstress are in the same direction. It is obtained that the power expended by the microstress power-conjugate to the Burgers tensor rate, can be additively decomposed to power expended by scalar and vector microscopic stresses power-conjugate to the accumulated plastic distortion rate and gradient of plastic distortion rate respectively. Following the proposed codirectionality hypothesis, it is obtained that the microstress power-conjugate to the Burgers tensor rate is purely energetic. The obtained flow rule accounts for plastic spin and generalizes the Aifantis’ flow rule.     

Numerical analysis and elastic–plastic deformation behavior of anisotropically damaged solids

The present paper is concerned with the numerical modelling of the large elastic–plastic deformation behavior and localization prediction of ductile metals which are sensitive to hydrostatic stress and anisotropically damaged. The model is based on a generalized macroscopic theory within the framework of nonlinear continuum damage mechanics. The formulation relies on a multiplicative decomposition of the metric transformation tensor into elastic and damaged-plastic parts. Furthermore, undamaged configurations are introduced which are related to the damaged configurations via associated metric transformations which allow for the interpretation as damage tensors. Strain rates are shown to be additively decomposed into elastic, plastic and damage strain rate tensors. Moreover, based on the standard dissipative material approach the constitutive framework is completed by different stress tensors, a yield criterion and a separate damage condition as well as corresponding potential functions. The evolution laws for plastic and damage strain rates are discussed in some detail. Estimates of the stress and strain histories are obtained via an explicit integration procedure which employs an inelastic (damage-plastic) predictor followed by an elastic corrector step. Numerical simulations of the elastic–plastic deformation behavior of damaged solids demonstrate the efficiency of the formulation. A variety of large strain elastic–plastic-damage problems including severe localization is presented, and the influence of different model parameters on the deformation and localization prediction of ductile metals is discussed.     

On the volumetric part of strain-energy functions used in the constitutive modeling of slightly compressible solid rubbers

A popular model for the finite element simulation of slightly compressible solid rubber-like materials assumes that the strain-energy function can be additively decomposed into a volumetric part and a deviatoric part. Based on mathematical convenience, the volumetric part is usually assumed to be a finite polynomial in the volume change. Experimental evidence suggests that for solid rubbers in compression, this polynomial can be taken to be a simple quadratic for moderate deformations and that this function also adequately models the volume change and the stress/stretch relation for materials in simple tension, up to stretches of order 100%. For larger tensile deformations, however, experimental data suggest that the Cauchy stress-volume change relation has an increasingly large slope and therefore a truncated Taylor series expansion is not the most appropriate. A rational function approach is proposed here as an alternative.     

On free energy-based formulations for kinematic hardening and the decomposition F = fpfe

Within the framework of linear plasticity, based on additive decomposition of the linear strain tensor, kinematical hardening can be described by means of extended potentials. The method is elegant and avoids the need for evolution equations. The extension of small strain formulations to the finite strain case, which is based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and inelastic parts, proved not straight forward. Specifically, the symmetry of the resulting back stress remained elusive. In this paper, a free energy-based formulation incorporating the effect of kinematic hardening is proposed. The formulation is able to reproduce symmetric expressions for the back stress while incorporating the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. Kinematic hardening is combined with isotropic hardening where an associative flow rule and von Mises yield criterion are applied. It is shown that the symmetry of the back stress is strongly related to its treatment as a truly spatial tensor, where contraction operations are to be conducted using the current metric. The latter depends naturally on the deformation gradient itself. Various numerical examples are presented.     

Optimal design of box-section sandwich beams in three-point bending

Minimum mass designs are obtained for box-section sandwich beams of various cross-sections in three-point bending. The overall compliance of the hollow, tubular beams are decomposed additively into a global contribution due to macroscopic bending (Timoshenko beam theory) and a local contribution associated with transverse deflection of the walls of the hollow beam adjacent to the central loading patch. The structural response is analysed for beams of square sections with various internal topologies: a solid section, a foam-filled tube with monolithic walls, a hollow tube with walls made from sandwich plates, and a hollow tube with walls reinforced by internal stiffeners. Finite element analysis is used to validate analytical models for the overall stiffness of the tubes in three-point bending. Minimum mass designs are obtained as a function of the overall stiffness, and the relative merits of the competing topologies are discussed.     

Modified characteristic finite difference fractional step method for moving boundary value problem of nonlinear percolation system

A fractional step scheme with modified characteristic finite differences running in a parallel arithmetic is presented to simulate a nonlinear percolation system of multilayer dynamics of fluids in a porous medium with moving boundary values. With the help of theoretical techniques including the change of regions, piecewise threefold quadratic interpolation, calculus of variations, multiplicative commutation rule of difference operators, multiplicative commutation rule of difference operators, decomposition of high order difference operators, induction hypothesis, and prior estimates, an optimal order in l ² norm is displayed to complete the convergence analysis of the numerical algorithm. Some numerical results arising in the actual simulation of migration-accumulation of oil resources by this method are listed in the last section.     

A comparative study of kinematic hardening rules at finite deformations

Kinematic hardening models describe a specific kind of plastic anisotropy which evolves with the deformation process. It is well known that the extension of constitutive relations from small to finite deformations is not unique. This applies also to well-established kinematic hardening rules like that of Armstrong-Frederick or Chaboche. However, the second law of thermodynamics offers some possibilities for generalizing constitutive equations so that this ambiguity may, in some extent, be moderated. The present paper is concerned with three possible extensions, from small to finite deformations, of the Armstrong-Frederick rule, which are derived as sufficient conditions for the validity of the second law. All three models rely upon the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient tensor into elastic and plastic parts and make use of a yield function expressed in terms of the so-called Mandel stress tensor. In conformity with this approach, the back-stress tensor is defined to be of Mandel stress type as well. In order to compare the properties of the three models, predicted responses for processes with homogeneous and inhomogeneous deformations are discussed. To this end, the models are implemented in a finite element code (ABAQUS).     

Modified characteristic finite difference fractional step method for moving boundary value problem of percolation coupled system

For the coupled system with moving boundary values of multilayer dynamicsof fluids in porous media,a characteristic finite difference fractional step scheme appli-cable to the parallel arithmetic is put forward.Some techniques,such as the change ofregions,the calculus of variations,the piecewise threefold quadratic interpolation,themultiplicative commutation rule of difference operators,the decomposition of high orderdifference operators,and the prior estimates,are adopted.The optimal order estimatesin the l2norm are derived to determine the error in the approximate solution.This nu-merical method has been successfully used to simulate the flow of migration-accumulationof the multilayer percolation coupled system.Some numerical results are well illustratedin this paper.     

A multi-axial constitutive model for metal matrix composites

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) generally do not follow the classical plasticity theory, even though the matrix metals do deform plastically. A tension-compression yield asymmetry is typically observed in MMCs. For particulate-reinforced MMCs, this non-classical response is mainly due to the variation of damage evolution with loading modes. In this paper, a viscoplastic multi-axial constitutive model for plastic deformation of MMCs is constructed using the Mises-Schleicher yield criterion. The subsequent plastic flow is characterized by an associated and decomposed flow rule considering effects from both deviatoric and hydrostatic stresses. This model is capable of describing the multi-axial yield and flow behavior of MMCs by using simulated or measured asymmetric tensile and compressive stress-strain responses as input. As an example, the influence of damage evolution in terms of interfacial debonding in MMCs (obtained from FEM simulations) is incorporated through the different tensile and compressive stress-strain behaviors. Applying this model to predict the torsion and the pressure-dependant tensile responses of some commonly used MMCs provides good agreement with experimental data.     

Constitutive modeling of temperature and strain rate dependent elastoplastic hardening materials using a corotational rate associated with the plastic deformation

In this paper, a constitutive model with a temperature and strain rate dependent flow stress (Bergstrom hardening rule) and modified Armstrong-Frederick kinematic evolution equation for elastoplastic hardening materials is introduced. Based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient,new kinematic relations for the elastic and plastic left stretch tensors as well as the plastic deformation-dependent spin tensor are proposed. Also, a closed-form solution has been obtained for the elastic and plastic left stretch tensors for the simple shear problem.To evaluate model validity, results are compared with known experimental data for SUS 304 stainless steel, which shows a good agreement with the results of the proposed theoretical model.Finally, the stress-deformation curve, as predicted by the model, is plotted for the simple shear problem at room and elevated temperatures using the same material properties for AA5754-O aluminium alloy.     

Numerical study of the effects of constitutive models on plastic buckling of plate elements

Compared with experiments, the J₂ deformation theory of plasticity is known to predict plastic buckling with better accuracy than the more accepted incremental J₂ flow theory. This paradox is commonly known as the ‘plastic buckling paradox’. In an attempt to analyse this discrepancy, the two mentioned constitutive models were implemented in a non-linear finite element code, along with a third non-associative J₂ flow theory. The latter model incorporates a vertex-type plastic flow rule. Using these three constitutive models, the buckling behaviour of plate outstand elements was investigated. Comparisons between the buckling strengths derived are presented. The non-linear static buckling simulations show that the instability introduced by the alternative flow rule of the non-associative model has substantial influence on the buckling behaviour. The acceptance of only small departures from normality was shown to reduce the predicted ultimate capacity of the plates. Furthermore, for plates with small plate slendernesses it was found that the imperfection sensitivity was significantly reduced when using the non-associative flow rule.     

On non-associative anisotropic finite plasticity fully coupled with isotropic ductile damage for metal forming

In this work, non-associative finite strain anisotropic elastoplasticity fully coupled with ductile damage is considered using a thermodynamically consistent framework. First, the kinematics of large strain based on multiplicative decomposition of the total transformation gradient using the rotating frame formulation, is recalled and different objective derivatives defined. By using different anisotropic equivalent stresses (quadratic and non-quadratic) in yield function and in plastic potential, the evolution equations for all the dissipative phenomena are deduced from the generalized normality rule applied to the plastic potential while the consistency condition is still applied to the yield function. The effect of the objective derivatives and the equivalent stresses (quadratic or non-quadratic) on the plastic flow anisotropy and the hardening evolution with damage is considered. Numerical aspects mainly related to the time integration of the fully coupled constitutive equations are discussed. Applications are made to the AISI 304 sheet metal by considering different loading paths as tensile, shear, plane tensile and bulge tests. For each loading path the effect of the rotating frame, the equivalent stress (quadratic or non-quadratic) and the normality rule (with respect to yield function or to the plastic potential) are discussed on the light of some available experimental results.     

Thermoviscoplastic modelling of asymmetric effects for polymers at large strains

Glassy polymers such as polycarbonate exhibit different behaviours in different loading scenarios, such as tension and compression. To this end a flow rule is postulated within a thermodynamic consistent framework in a mixed variant formulation and decomposed into a sum of weighted stress mode related quantities. The different stress modes are chosen such that they are accessible to individual examination in the laboratory, where tension and compression are typical examples. The characterisation of the stress modes is obtained in the octahedral plane of the deviatoric stress space in terms of the Lode angle, such that stress mode dependent scalar weighting functions can be constructed. Furthermore the numerical implementation of the constitutive equations into a finite element program is briefly described. In a numerical example, the model is used to simulate the laser transmission welding process.     

Review of Drucker’s postulate and the issue of plastic stability in metal forming

Drucker’s postulate defines a class of stable work hardening materials that are classified as non-energetic and is equivalent to the associated flow rule (AFR). The postulate has been shown to be a sufficient condition for plastic stability. However, experiments indicate that plastic deformation of aluminum and steel alloys does not adhere to the constraints of the AFR. Therefore, the requirement for accuracy suggests that the metal forming industry should also consider material models that are based on non-associated flow. But Drucker’s work raises the issue of stability when considering the use of non-associated flow in material models. While this concern is merited and many types of instability arises from certain types of non-associated flow, this has led to a widely accepted view that Drucker’s postulate is a necessary condition for stability. This perception is inhibiting the acceptance or consideration of more accurate material models that are suggested from the experimental observations about violations of the AFR. This paper proposes a specific class of material models based on non-associated flow and derives the constraints on this class of models to ensure stability. The existence of this class of non-AFR models proves that Drucker’s postulate is a sufficient but not necessary condition for stability. Furthermore, the class of models described in this paper is quite general and provides a framework for consideration of potentially more accurate material models while guaranteeing the same level of stability as typically associated with materials that satisfy Drucker’s postulate.     

Development of co-current air–water flow in a vertical pipe

Measurements of the cross-sectional distribution of the gas fraction and bubble size distributions were conducted in a vertical pipe with an inner diameter of 51.2 mm and a length of about 3 m for air/water bubbly and slug flow regimes. The use of a wire-mesh sensor obtained a high resolution of the gas fraction data in space as well as in time. From this data, time averaged values for the two-dimensional gas fraction profiles were decomposed into a large number of bubble size classes. This allowed the extraction of the radial gas fraction profiles for a given range of bubble sizes as well as data for local bubble size distributions. The structure of the flow can be characterized by such data. The measurements were performed for up to 10 different inlet lengths and for about 100 combinations of gas and liquid volume flow rates. The data is very useful for the development and validation of meso-scale models to account for the forces acting on a bubble in a shear liquid flow and models for bubble coalescence and break-up. Such models are necessary for the validation of CFD codes for the simulation of bubbly flows.     

A plane stress anisotropic plastic flow theory for orthotropic sheet metals

A phenomenological theory is presented for describing the anisotropic plastic flow of orthotropic polycrystalline aluminum sheet metals under plane stress. The theory uses a stress exponent, a rate-dependent effective flow strength function, and five anisotropic material functions to specify a flow potential, an associated flow rule of plastic strain rates, a flow rule of plastic spin, and an evolution law of isotropic hardening of a sheet metal. Each of the five anisotropic material functions may be represented by a truncated Fourier series based on the orthotropic symmetry of the sheet metal and their Fourier coefficients can be determined using experimental data obtained from uniaxial tension and equal biaxial tension tests. Depending on the number of uniaxial tension tests conducted, three models with various degrees of planar anisotropy are constructed based on the proposed plasticity theory for power-law strain hardening sheet metals. These models are applied successfully to describe the anisotropic plastic flow behavior of 10 commercial aluminum alloy sheet metals reported in the literature.     

Associative versus non-associative porous viscoplasticity based on internal state variable concepts

A general constitutive framework for porous viscoplasticity is used to study the role of specific void growth models in both associative and non-associative viscoplastic flow rules. Three particular model frameworks for porous viscoplasticity are identified, denoted as associative, non-associative and partially coupled. The structure of a specific model framework is defined by the nature of the inelastic flow rule (associative versus non-associative) and the specific dependence of the yield function on the first overstress invariant (pressure). As distinct from the great majority of existing models for flow of porous viscoplastic media, this work considers the physically based models which employ internal state variables to represent evolving internal structure. Some applications are examined using Bammann's internal state variable viscoplast3c model in the context of the three model frameworks.     

Anisotropic finite elastoplasticity with nonlinear kinematic and isotropic hardening and application to sheet metal forming

The paper discusses the derivation and the numerical implementation of a finite strain material model for plastic anisotropy and nonlinear kinematic and isotropic hardening. The model is derived from a thermodynamic framework and is based on the multiplicative split of the deformation gradient in the context of hyperelasticity. The kinematic hardening component represents a continuum extension of the classical rheological model of Armstrong–Frederick kinematic hardening. Introducing the so-called structure tensors as additional tensor-valued arguments, plastic anisotropy can be modelled by representing the yield surface and the plastic flow rule as functions of the structure tensors. The evolution equations are integrated by a new form of the exponential map that preserves plastic incompressibility and uses the spectral decomposition to evaluate the exponential tensor functions in closed form. Finally, the applicability of the model is demonstrated by means of simulations of several deep drawing processes and comparisons with experiments.     

An energy-deformation decomposition for morphoelasticity

Mathematical models of biological growth commonly attempt to distinguish deformation due to growth from that due to mechanical stresses through a hypothesised multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. This multiplicative decomposition is valid only under restrictive hypothesis, and can fail in many instances of scientific relevance. Shifting the focus away from the kinematics of growth to the mechanical energy of the growing object enables us to propose an “energy-deformation decomposition” which accurately captures the influence of growth on mechanical energy. We provide a proof and computational verification of this for tissues with crystalline structure. Our arguments also apply to tissues with a network structure. Due to the general nature of these results they apply to a wide range of models for growing systems.