Characterization of the post-necking strain hardening behavior using the virtual fields method

The present study aims at characterizing the post-necking strain hardening behavior of three sheet metals having different hardening behavior. Standard tensile tests were performed on sheet metal specimens up to fracture and heterogeneous logarithmic strain fields were obtained from a digital image correlation technique. Then, an appropriate elasto-plastic constitutive model was chosen. Von Mises yield criterion under plane stress and isotropic hardening law were considered to retrieve the relationship between stress and strain. The virtual fields method (VFM) was adopted as an inverse method to determine the constitutive parameters by calculating the stress fields from the heterogeneous strain fields. The results show that the choice of a hardening law which can describe the hardening behavior accurately is important to derive the true stress–strain curve. Finally, post-necking hardening behavior was successfully characterized up to the initial stage of localized necking using the VFM with Swift and modified Voce laws.     

Identification of Material Parameters of PVC Foams using Digital Image Correlation and the Virtual Fields Method

This paper presents an effective methodology to characterize all the constitutive (elastic) parameters of an orthotropic polymeric foam material (Divinycell H100) in one single test using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) in combination with the Virtual Fields Method (VFM). A modified Arcan fixture is used to induce various loading conditions ranging from pure shear or axial loading in tension or compression to bidirectional loading. A numerical optimization study was performed with different loading angles of the Arcan test fixture and off-axis angles of the principal material axes. The objective is to identify the configuration that gives the minimum sensitivity to noise and missing data on the specimen edges, which are the two major issues when identifying the stiffness components from actual DIC measurements. Two optimized Arcan test configurations were chosen. The experimental results obtained for these two optimized test configurations show a significant improvement of the measurement accuracy compared with a pure shear load configuration. The larger sensitivity of the pure shear test to missing data as opposed to the tensile test is also evident from the experimental data and confirms the analysis from the optimization study. The recovery of missing data along the specimen edges is a promising way to further improve the identification results.     

Out-of-plane Testing Procedure for Inverse Identification Purpose: Application in Sheet Metal Plasticity

Many recent works in inverse identification of constitutive parameters have pointed to the need of tests which exhibit heterogeneous strain paths. The present study details a new testing procedure based on out-of-plane motion capture by Stereo-Image Correlation (SIC). With the original test proposed hereby, a unique sample is deformed on a tensile machine along two perpendicular tensile directions, two perpendicular shear directions and one expansion area. The choice of the sample shape is discussed along with the stereo imaging device, 3D reconstruction and measurement uncertainties. The test sample is made from a sheet of commercially pure titanium. A Finite-Element updating inverse method is applied in order to identify six parameters of an anisotropic plastic constitutive model. Results show that this new testing procedure allows every constitutive parameter of the model to be identified from one and only one test.     

In-situ mechanical properties identification of 3D particulate composites using the Virtual Fields Method

This paper presents an identification procedure based on the Virtual Fields Method (VFM) for identifying in situ mechanical properties of composite materials constitutive phases from 3D full-field measurements. The new procedure, called the Regularized Virtual Fields Method (RVFM), improves the accuracy of the VFM thanks to the imposition of mechanical constraints derived from an appropriate homogenization model. The developed algorithms were validated through virtual experiments on particulate composites. The robustness of both the VFM and the RVFM was assessed in the presence of noisy strain data for various microstructures. A study was also carried out to investigate the influence of the size of region of interests on the reliability of the identified parameters. Accordingly, the optimum size of region of interest was determined based on full-field measurement requirements and accuracy of the identified parameters. This study enables determining, a priori, the required magnification level of 3D images for composites of any mechanical and morphological characteristics.     

不同本构模型对橡胶制品有限元法适应性研究

为确定不同本构模型对橡胶制品进行非线性有限元分析的适应性,采用HyperMesh 和ABAQUS软件建立了橡胶标准试件和防尘罩制品的非线性有限元模型. 根据标准试件单轴拉伸试验数据,利用ABAQUS软件拟合了Mooney——Rivlin, Ogden 及Yeoh 3 种本构模型的特征参数,并给出了试件和制品轴向拉伸和压缩工况有限元分析结果. 实测试验与有限元分析结果对比发现:在应变不大于100% 时,两参数的Mooney——Rivlin本构模型计算误差较小;在应变大于100% 时, 用Yeoh 和Ogden 本构模型计算误差较小. 该结论对大变形橡胶元件的非线性特性理论分析具有实际意义.     

基于试验与有限元耦合技术的延性材料全程单轴本构关系获取方法

摘 要: 材料拉伸直至断裂的全程单轴本构关系对材料大变形和断裂机理研究具有重要意义。传统拉伸试验获取的材料真应力-真应变曲线在试样颈缩后不可测。借助可以精确测量三维变形的DIC(Digital image correlate) 技术和有限元分析技术(Finite element analysis),本文提出了基于漏斗试样拉伸试验获取材料全程单轴本构关系的新方法,即TF(Test and FEA)方法。该方法将TF方法获取的材料全程单轴应力应变关系曲线作为有限元软件中的材料本构关系对漏斗试样拉伸变形过程进行模拟,其模拟载荷-位移曲线、漏斗根部直径-位移曲线和漏斗变形轮廓线等均与试验结果吻合良好,试样表面模拟应变也与DIC测试结果吻合, 根据不同半径漏斗试样模拟获得的全程真应力-真应变曲线保持良好一致性。最后,还对试样颈缩断面的力学行为进行了讨论,并给出了304不锈钢、汽轮机叶片材料2Cr12Ni4Mo3VNBN和 1Gr12Ni3Mo2VN、汽轮机转子材料30Cr2Ni4MoV的全程单轴本构关系模型参数、破断应力和破断应变。     

聚氨酯橡胶超弹性本构模型拟合效果评估

对聚氨酯橡胶进行了单轴拉伸、单轴压缩和平面拉伸试验,采用常用的超弹性本构模型拟合试验数据,并基于拟合优度、拟合曲线与试验曲线相似性、相对偏差三方面,对拟合效果进行评估．结果表明：采用拟合优度评估,能从总体上反映超弹性本构模型对试验数据的拟合效果,采用拟合曲线与试验数据相似性的对比进行评估,能直观反映超弹性本构模型对试验数据的拟合效果,若同时考虑相对偏差,则可以反映超弹性本构模型与试验数据之间的相对偏差量,更为准确地对超弹性本构模型的拟合效果进行评估．     

Inverse approach to identification of material parameters of cyclic elasto-plasticity for component layers of a bimetallic sheet

The present paper proposes a novel approach to the identification of the mechanical properties of individual component layers of a bimetallic sheet. In this approach, a set of material parameters in a constitutive model of cyclic elasto-plasticity are identified for the two layers of the sheet simultaneously by minimizing the difference between the experimental results and the corresponding results of numerical simulation. This method has an advantage of using the experimental data (tensile load vs strain curve in the uniaxial tension test and the bending moment vs curvature diagram in the cyclic bending test) for a whole bimetallic sheet but not for individual component layers. An optimization technique based on the iterative multipoint approximation concept is used for the identification of the material parameters. This paper describes the experimentation, the fundamentals and the technique of the identification, and the verification of this approach using two types of constitutive models (the Chaboche-Rousselier and the Prager models) for an aluminum clad stainless steel sheet.     

Discrete fracture modeling of asphalt concrete

A heterogeneous fracture approach is presented for modeling asphalt concrete that is composed of solid inclusions and a viscous matrix, and is subjected to mode-I loading in the fracture test configuration. A heterogeneous fracture model, based on the discrete element method (DEM), is developed to investigate various fracture toughening mechanisms of asphalt materials using a high-resolution image processing technique. An energy-based bilinear cohesive zone model is used to model the crack initiation and propagation of materials, and is implemented as a user-defined model within the discrete element method. Experimental fracture tests are performed to investigate various fracture behavior of asphalt concrete and obtain material input parameters for numerical models. Also, bulk material properties are necessary for each material phase for heterogeneous numerical models; these properties are determined by uniaxial complex modulus tests and indirect tensile strength tests. The main objective of this study is to integrate the experimental tests and numerical models in order to better understand the fracture mechanisms of asphaltic heterogeneous materials. Experimental results and numerical simulations are compared at different test conditions with excellent agreement. The heterogeneous DEM fracture modeling approach has the potential capability to understand various crack mechanisms of quasi-brittle materials.     

ANALYSIS OF THE LOCALIZATION OF DAMAGE AND THE COMPLETE STRESS-STRAIN RELATION FOR MESOSCOPIC HETEROGENEOUS ROCK UNDER UNIAXIAL TENSILE LOADING

The mechanical behavior of rock under uniaxial tensile loading is different from that of rock under compressive loads. A micromechanics-based model was proposed for mesoscopic heterogeneous brittle rock undergoing irreversible changes of their microscopic structures due to microcrack growth. The complete stress-strain relation including linear elasticity, nonlinear hardening, rapid stress drop and strain softening was obtained. The influence of all microcracks with different sizes and orientations were introduced into the constitutive relation by using the probability density function describing the distribution of orientations and the probability density function describing the distribution of sizes. The influence of Weibull distribution describing the distribution of orientations and Rayleigh function describing the distribution of sizes on the constitutive relation were researched. Theoretical predictions have shown to be consistent with the experimental results.     

The effect of annealing on the viscoplastic response of semicrystalline polymers at finite strains

A constitutive model is developed for the viscoplastic behavior of a semicrystalline polymer at finite strains. A solid polymer is treated as an equivalent heterogeneous network of chains bridged by permanent junctions (physical cross-links, entanglements and lamellar blocks). The network is thought of as an ensemble of meso-regions linked with each other. In the sub-yield region of deformations, junctions between chains in meso-domains slide with respect to their reference positions (which reflects sliding of nodes in the amorphous phase and fine slip of lamellar blocks). Above the yield point, this sliding process is accompanied by displacements of meso-domains in the ensemble with respect to each other (which reflects coarse slip and disintegration of lamellar blocks). To account for the orientation of lamellar blocks in the direction of maximal stresses and formation of micro-fibrils in the post-yield region of deformations (which is observed as strain-hardening of specimens) elastic moduli are assumed to depend on the principal invariants of the right Cauchy–Green tensor for the viscoplastic flow. Stress–strain relations for a semicrystalline polymer are derived by using the laws of thermodynamics. The constitutive equations are determined by six adjustable parameters that are found by matching observations in uniaxial tensile tests on injection-molded isotactic polypropylene at elongations up to 80%. Prior to testing, the specimens were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 110 to 163 °C. Fair agreement is demonstrated between the experimental data and the results of numerical simulation. The effect of annealing temperature on the material parameters is studied in detail.     

General framework for the identification of constitutive parameters from full-field measurements in linear elasticity

In this paper, several approaches available in the literature for identifying the constitutive parameters of linear elastic materials from full-field measurements are presented and their sensitivity to a white noise added to the data is compared. The first investigated approach is the virtual fields method (VFM). It is shown that the uncertainty of the parameters identified with the VFM when a white noise is added to the data depends on the choice of a relevant set of virtual fields. Optimal virtual fields exist, thus minimizing the uncertainty and providing the “maximum likelihood solution”. The other approaches investigated in this paper are based on finite element model updating (FEMU). It is proved that FEMU approaches actually yield equations similar to the ones derived from the VFM, but with nonoptimal sets of virtual fields. Therefore, the FEMU approaches do not provide the “maximum likelihood solution”. However, the uncertainty of FEMU approaches varies dramatically with the cost function to minimize. On one hand, the FEMU approach based on the “displacement gap” minimization yields equations which are very close to the ones of the VFM approach and therefore, its uncertainty is almost the same as the VFM one. On the other hand, it is shown that other approaches based on the “constitutive equation gap” minimization or the “equilibrium gap” minimization provide biased solutions. For all the approaches, very fast algorithms, converging in only two iterations, have been devised. They are finally applied to real experimental data obtained on an orthotropic composite material. Results confirm the success of two methods: the VFM approach which provides the “maximum likelihood solution” and the FEMU approach based on the “displacement gap” minimization.     

基于BP神经网络与小冲杆试验确定在役管道钢弹塑性性能方法研究

为了能够在不停输油气工况下获得在役管道材料的弹塑性力学性能, 提出了一种人工智能BP (back-propagation)神经网络、小冲杆试验与有限元模拟相结合,通过确定材料真应力-应变曲线从而获得材料弹塑性力学性能的方法. 首先,通过系统改变Hollomon公式中的参数$K$, $n$值,获得457组具有不同弹塑性力学性能的假想材料本构关系, 其次,将得到的本构关系代入经试验验证的含有Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman(GTN)损伤参数的小冲杆试验二维轴对称有限元模型,通过有限元计算得到了与真应力-应变曲线一一对应的457条不同假想材料的载荷-位移曲线,最终将两组数据作为数据库输入BP神经网络进行训练,建立了同种材料小冲杆试验载荷-位移曲线与真应力-应变曲线之间的关联关系.通过此关联关系,可利用试验得到的小冲杆载荷-位移曲线获取在役管道钢的真应力-应变曲线,从而确定其弹塑性力学性能.通过对比BP神经网络得到的X80管道钢真应力-应变曲线与单轴拉伸试验的结果以及引用现有文献中不同材料的试验数据对此关系进行验证,证明了该方法的准确性与广泛适用性.      

Anisotropic plasticity model coupled with Lode angle dependent strain-induced transformation kinetics law

A phenomenological macroscopic plasticity model is developed for steels that exhibit strain-induced austenite-to-martensite transformation. The model makes use of a stress-state dependent transformation kinetics law that accounts for both the effects of the stress triaxiality and the Lode angle on the rate of transformation. The macroscopic strain hardening is due to nonlinear kinematic hardening as well as isotropic hardening. The latter contribution is assumed to depend on the dislocation density as well as the current martensite volume fraction. The constitutive equations are embedded in the framework of finite strain isothermal rate-independent anisotropic plasticity. Experimental data for an anisotropic austenitic stainless steel 301LN is presented for uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, transverse plane strain tension and pure shear. The model parameters are identified using a combined analytical–numerical approach. Numerical simulations are performed of all calibration experiments and excellent agreement is observed. Moreover, we make use of experimental data from ten combined tension and shear experiments to validate the proposed constitutive model. In addition, punch and notched tension tests are performed to evaluate the model performance in structural applications with heterogeneous stress and strain fields.     

Constitutive equations in finite elasticity of rubbers

A constitutive model is derived for the elastic behavior of rubbers at arbitrary three-dimensional deformations with finite strains. An elastomer is thought of as an incompressible network of flexible chains bridged by permanent junctions that move affinely with the bulk material. With reference to the concept of constrained junctions, the chain ends are assumed to be located at some distances from appropriate junctions. These distances are not fixed, but are altered under deformation. An explicit expression is developed for the distribution function of vectors between junctions (an analog of the end-to-end distribution function for a flexible chain with fixed ends). An analytical formula is obtained for the strain energy density of a polymer network, when the ratio of the mean-square distance between the ends of a chain and appropriate junctions is small compared with the mean-square end-to-end distance of chains. Stress–strain relations are derived by using the laws of thermodynamics. The governing equations involve three adjustable parameters with transparent physical meaning. These parameters are found by fitting experimental data on plain and particle-reinforced elastomers. The model ensures good agreement between the observations at uniaxial tension and the results of numerical simulation, as well as an acceptable prediction of stresses at uniaxial compression, simple shear and pure shear, when its parameters are found by matching observations at uniaxial tensile tests.     

Mullins’ effect in semicrystalline polymers

Observations are reported on isotactic polypropylene in uniaxial cyclic tensile tests at room temperature. A model is derived for the viscoplastic response of semicrystalline polymers at three-dimensional deformations with small strains. Adjustable parameters in the stress–strain relations are found by fitting the experimental data. It is shown that polypropylene reveals some characteristic features of the Mullins effect that can be quantitatively predicted by the constitutive equations.     

Micromechanics and macromechanics of carbon nanotube-enhanced elastomers

The effects of carbon nanotubes on the mechanical behavior of elastomeric materials is investigated. The large deformation uniaxial tension and uniaxial compression stress-strain behaviors of a representative elastomer are first presented. This elastomer is then reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and the influence of weight fraction of MWNTs on the large deformation behavior of the resulting composite is quantified. The initial stiffness and subsequent strain-induced stiffening at large strains are both found to increase with MWNT content. The MWNTs are also found to increase both the tensile strength and the tensile stretch at break. A systematic approach for reducing the experimental data to isolate the MWNT contribution to the strain energy of the composite is presented. A constitutive model for the large strain deformation behavior of MWNT-elastomer composites is then developed. The effects of carbon nanotubes are modeled via a constitutive element which tracks the stretching and rotation of a distribution of wavy carbon nanotubes. The MWNT strain energy contribution is due to the bending/unbending of the initial waviness and provides the increase in initial stiffness as well as the retention and further enhancement of the increase in stiffness with large strains. The model is shown to track the stretching and rotation of the CNTs with macroscopic strain as well as predict the dependence of the macroscopic stress-strain behavior on the MWNT content for both uniaxial tension and uniaxial compression.     

Analysis of the localization of deformation and the complete stress–strain relation for mesoscopic heterogeneous brittle rock under dynamic uniaxial tensile loading

Stress redistribution induced by excavation results in the tensile zone in parts of the surrounding rock mass. It is significant to analyze the localization of deformation and damage, and to study the complete stress–strain relation for mesoscopic heterogeneous rock under dynamic uniaxial tensile loading. On the basis of micromechanics, the complete stress–strain relation including linear elasticity, nonlinear hardening, rapid stress drop and strain softening is obtained. The behaviors of rapid stress drop and strain softening are due to localization of deformation and damage. The constitutive model, which analyze localization of deformation and damage, is distinct from the conventional model. Theoretical predictions have shown to consistent with the experimental results.     

Viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity of polypropylene/polyethylene blends

Observations are reported on polypropylene/polyethylene blends with various concentrations of components in uniaxial tensile tests with constant strain rates, relaxation tests, and creep tests at room temperature. A model is developed for the viscoelastic and viscoplastic responses of polymer blends at arbitrary three-dimensional deformation with small strains. Material constants in the constitutive equations are determined by fitting the experimental data. It is found that all adjustable parameters evolve with blend composition following an analog of the rule of mixture. Lifetime of blends under condition of creep rupture is evaluated by numerical simulation.