The implicit standard material theory for modelling the nonassociative behaviour of metals

Summary  Modelling the elastoplastic or elastoviscoplastic behaviour of metallic materials exhibiting strain hardening and damage leads to complex nonassociative constitutive equations, sources of many theoretical and numerical troubles. The usual modelling of a nonassociative constitutive equation leads to the loss of the interesting and very useful properties of generalised standard materials deriving from the key concepts of convexity and normality. The argument that will be developed is that the bipotential concept is an appropriate answer. In the first part, after introducing the state variables generally used to describe the behaviour of metallic materials, the constitutive equations subjected to the principles of thermodynamics are derived from two potentials. The state potential gives the state laws, and the bipotential of dissipation delivers the evolution laws for state variables, through the implicit normality assumption. The second part is devoted to several particular applications to metal elastoplasticity and elastoviscoplasticity models. Received 29 March 2000; accepted for publication 26 September 2000     

An inverse algorithm for the identification and the sensitivity analysis of the parameters governing micropolar elasto-plastic granular material

The article concerns the complex determination process of the material parameters governing micropolar granular material with elasto-plastic material properties. Proceeding from a gradient-based method, we split the total set of parameters and the overall identification procedure into two major categories. These are, firstly, the identification of the parameters of a standard non-polar elasto-plastic continuum, and, secondly, the determination of the remaining parameters governing the micropolar part of the constitutive model. While the first set of parameters can be obtained from homogeneous triaxial tests on, e. g., granular, cohesive-frictional materials like sand, the second set can only be determined from inhomogeneous tests, such as biaxial tests including the onset and the development of shear bands. Following this, one can obtain the first part of the identification process from a simple inverse algorithm applied to the elasto-plastic material model of non-polar solids, while the second part requires a fully inverse computation in the sense of a back analysis of the underlying boundary-value problem. In the present article, this procedure is carried out by use of the semi-discrete sensitivity analysis. Finally, the whole model is applied to the data of Hostun sand taken at the universities of Grenoble and Stuttgart. Dedicated to Professor Franz Ziegler on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

An inelastic material model for filled polytetrafluorethylen

Summary  This paper presents a viscoplastic model for PTFE designed to simulate numerically PTFE shaft seals. A rate-independent elastoplastic model with an endochronic flow rule is coupled in series with a rate-dependent Kelvin model, which has a highly nonlinear damper. In contrast to previous models for PTFE, this unified approach is suitable for numerical simulation of the loading and the stress relaxation behaviour at ambient temperature. Received 30 October 2001; accepted for publication 21 January 2002     

An analysis of the plane-strain compression of a three-layer strip

Summary  The problem considered here is that of the plane-strain compression of a long symmetric strip of a three-layered material between rigid, parallel, rough plates. Two combinations of layers are examined: (a) a viscoplastic material placed between two layers of a rigid/perfectly plastic material, and (b) a rigid/perfectly plastic material placed between two layers of a viscoplastic material. Closed-form solutions are presented for each combination, and qualitative differences between these solutions and solutions obtained for homogeneous materials are discussed. A possible effect of asymptotic behaviour of the solution in the vicinity of maximum-friction surfaces on the general structure of the solution is mentioned. Received 24 July 2000; accepted for publication 6 February 2001     

Numerical simulation of elasto-plastic deformation of composites: evolution of stress microfields and implications for homogenization models

The deformation of a composite made up of a random and homogeneous dispersion of elastic spheres in an elasto-plastic matrix was simulated by the finite element analysis of three-dimensional multiparticle cubic cells with periodic boundary conditions. “Exact” results (to a few percent) in tension and shear were determined by averaging 12 stress-strain curves obtained from cells containing 30 spheres, and they were compared with the predictions of secant homogenization models. In addition, the numerical simulations supplied detailed information of the stress microfields, which was used to ascertain the accuracy and the limitations of the homogenization models to include the nonlinear deformation of the matrix. It was found that secant approximations based on the volume-averaged second-order moment of the matrix stress tensor, combined with a highly accurate linear homogenization model, provided excellent predictions of the composite response when the matrix strain hardening rate was high. This was not the case, however, in composites which exhibited marked plastic strain localization in the matrix. The analysis of the evolution of the matrix stresses revealed that better predictions of the composite behavior can be obtained with new homogenization models which capture the essential differences in the stress carried by the elastic and plastic regions in the matrix at the onset of plastic deformation.     

A variational formulation for the incremental homogenization of elasto-plastic composites

This work addresses the micro–macro modeling of composites having elasto-plastic constituents. A new model is proposed to compute the effective stress–strain relation along arbitrary loading paths. The proposed model is based on an incremental variational principle (Ortiz, M., Stainier, L., 1999. The variational formulation of viscoplastic constitutive updates. Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 171, 419–444) according to which the local stress–strain relation derives from a single incremental potential at each time step. The effective incremental potential of the composite is then estimated based on a linear comparison composite (LCC) with an effective behavior computed using available schemes in linear elasticity. Algorithmic elegance of the time-integration of J₂ elasto-plasticity is exploited in order to define the LCC. In particular, the elastic predictor strain is used explicitly. The method yields a homogenized yield criterion and radial return equation for each phase, as well as a homogenized plastic flow rule. The predictive capabilities of the proposed method are assessed against reference full-field finite element results for several particle-reinforced composites.     

Bammann-Chiesa-Johnson粘塑性本构模型材料参数的一种识别方法

粘塑性本构模型能否成功模拟金属高应变率大应变变形过程依赖于材料参数识别结果的好坏。由于BCJ模型考虑了应变率、温度与材料硬化之间的耦合效应以及应变率、温度历史效应,同时模型中包含了多个材料参数,因此很难通过试验直接识别模型的材料参数。本文针对BCJ模型中的耦合效应和历史效应,基于对模型中材料参数物理涵义的界定,给出了一种对材料参数解耦、分离并进行估计的方法,获得了模型材料参数估计公式,估计了材料参数的取值范围。在此基础上,编制了BCJ模型应力积分径向返回算法和粒子群优化算法的计算程序,应用重新设计了BCJ模型耦合效应和历史效应的反分析方法,在参数取值范围内对材料参数进行了优化识别。以OFHC Cu为例,应用提出的识别方法对BCJ模型的材料参数进行了识别,计算结果和试验结果符合较好。     

Comparative study of an interface crack for different wedge-interface models

Summary  An interface crack problem is investigated under various assumptions on an interface between two elastic materials. The interface is modeled by an additional third structure (thin elastic wedge of differing elastic properties) matching the bonded materials, or by introducing special boundary conditions on the crack line ahead. The main emphasis of the paper is placed on a comparison of the asymptotic expansion of the elastic solutions near the crack tip obtained for the different models. In particular, the behaviour of the stress singularity exponent and the generalized SIF are discussed. Numerical examples are presented. Received 16 August 2000; accepted for publication 26 May 2001     

A modular algorithm for linear, periodic train-track models

Summary  An algorithm is presented which can be used for the investigation of a large variety of train-track models. These models only have to fulfil the requirements of linearity and periodicity with respect to the track length direction. A steady-state solution is obtained for a vehicle moving on a tangent track with constant velocity. The algorithm itself can be split into three modules: one for the whole train-track system, one for the track, and one for a single rail support. These modules and their interfaces are described in detail. The article demonstrates the applicability of the algorithm by means of four examples. The first example shows the influence of the sleeper elasticity on the sleeper motion. The second one illustrates the effect of an advanced subsoil model on the wheel/rail contact force. Subsequently, as a further example, the compliance frequency-response functions of a ballasted track and a rigid track are compared. The last example deals with the sleeper passing excitation. Here, it is shown that even in the case of resonance, the wheel/rail contact-force fluctuations remain below ten percent of the static value. Received 17 January 2000; accepted for publication 18 August 2000     

Material sensitivity analysis in homogenization of linear elastic composites

Summary  The main goal of the paper is to present theoretical aspects and the finite element method (FEM) implementation of the sensitivity analysis in homogenization of composite materials with linear elastic components, using effective modules approach. The deterministic sensitivity analysis of effective material properties is presented in a general form for an n-components periodic composite, and is illustrated by the examples of 1D as well as of 2D heterogeneous structures. The results of the sensitivity analysis presented in the paper confirm the usefulness of the homogenization method in computational analysis of composite materials the method may be applied to computational optimization of engineering composites, to the shape-sensitivity studies and, after some probabilistic extensions, to stochastic sensitivity analysis of random composites. Received 10 November 2000; accepted for publication 24 April 2001     

Evaluation of viscoplastic parameters and its application for dynamic behaviour of plates

Summary  The evaluation of material parameters for viscoplastic Chaboche and Bodner-Partom formulations is carried out using tensile tests only. The determination of the Bodner-Partom law is quite easy. The parameter study for the Chaboche law usually requires carrying out strain-controlled cyclic tests. In this work, we propose supporting this type of experiments by numerical simulations. A set of parameters for each formulation is identified for steel, and is used to calculate the dynamic behaviour of circular plates. The results are compared with the experimental data on steel plates. Received 27 April 1999; accepted for publication 7 October 1999     

A new material model for concrete in high-dynamic hydrocode simulations

Summary  The development of material laws for concrete subjected to highly dynamic loadings is a topic of current research. Explosive charges or high-velocity impacts produce high pressures in the kilobar region within microseconds. Hydrocode simulations by coupling of Lagrangian with Eulerian grids have been carried out, considering the interaction between explosive loading and the structure. Concrete is a composite material with a variety of inhomogenities. By homogenization of the microstructure, a macroscopic approach in the framework of continuum mechanics has been adopted. Appropriate constitutive laws that enable the nonlinear rate-dependent as well as the local damage behaviour to be modelled had to be introduced. A new damage law that describes void compaction as well as the classical theory of plasticity had been taken into account. An equation of state had to be provided to ensure the compliance with conservation laws on which hydrocodes are based. To obtain the necessary material data, experimental investigations were indispensable. Therefore, a series of field tests with specimens which were concrete slabs exposed to explosive contact charges has been conducted. Received 19 March 1999; accepted for publication 9 December 1999     

A classification of higher-order strain-gradient models – linear analysis

Summary  The use of higher-order strain-gradient models in mechanics is studied. First, existing second-gradient models from the literature are investigated analytically. In general, two classes of second-order strain-gradient models can be distinguished: one class of models has a direct link with the underlying microstructure, but reveals instability for deformation patterns of a relatively short wave length, while the other class of models does not have a direct link with the microstructure, but stability is unconditionally guaranteed. To combine the advantageous properties of the two classes of second-gradient models, a new, fourth-order strain-gradient model, which is unconditionally stable, is derived from a discrete microstructure. The fourth-gradient model and the second-gradient models are compared under static and dynamic loading conditions. A numerical approach is followed, whereby the element-free Galerkin method is used. For the second-gradient model that has been derived from the microstructure, it is found that the model becomes unstable for a limited number of wave lengths, while in dynamics, instabilities are encountered for all shorter wave lengths. Contrarily, the second-gradient model without a direct link to the microstructure behaves in a stable manner, although physically unrealistic results are obtained in dynamics. The fourth-gradient model, with a microstructural basis, gives stable and realistic results in statics as well as in dynamics. Received 13 June 2001; accepted for publication 6 November 2001     

On the simultaneous estimation of model parameters used in constitutive laws for inelastic material behaviour

The paper deals with the simultaneous estimation of parameters used in constitutive laws for modeling inelastic material behaviour. Experimental data is obtained from specimens with a uniform distribution of stresses. Uniaxial evaluations of the constitutive laws are used. Due to the numerical stiffness of the constitutive equations, it is shown that it is necessary to use an implicit time-integration scheme. The model parameters are estimated from experimental data using a least-squares criterion. Stochastic and deterministic optimization methods are used. The algorithms are parallelized on the basis of the master-slave paradigm. Since a complete parameter estimation requires error estimates and confidence regions, statistic methods are implemented.     

On the physical interpretation of material parameters in phase field models for ferroelectrics

This publication intends to clarify the relations between the free energy expansion and the choice of the order parameter in phase field models for ferroelectrics. The free energy is expanded to include the piezoelectric coupling terms, reflecting the symmetry properties of the material below the Curie temperature. The order parameter can then be interpreted as the material polarization less than the dielectric and piezoelectric contributions. Furthermore, a 1d reduction of the problem is used to identify the physical meaning of the remaining model parameters. The theoretical results are verified by numerical simulations of 180^? and 90^? domain walls. Both the static case, where the emphasis lies on the specific energy and the interface width, and the dynamic case, where interfaces are subjected to an electric driving field, are considered in the simulations.     

On the use of solid- and shell-type finite elements in creep-damage predictions of thinwalled structures

Summary  Solid- and shell-type finite elements available for plasticity and creep analysis are applied to the creep-damage prediction of a thinwalled pipe bend under uniform internal pressure. Conventional creep-damage material model with scalar damage parameter is used. Based on the comparative numerical study, performed using solid and shell elements, the applicability frame of the shell concept is discussed. Particularly, if a dependence on the stress state is included in the material model, the cross-section assumptions of the first-order shear deformation theory should be refined. The possibilities to modify the through-thickness approximations are demonstrated on the beam equations. The first-order shear-deformation beam theory is discussed in detail. It is shown that if the damage evolution significantly differs for tensile and compressive stresses, the classical parabolic transverse shear-stress distribution and the shear-correction coefficient have to be modified within time-step simulations. Received 30 January 2000; accepted for publication 30 May 2000     

On the determination of material parameters for internal variable thermoelastic–viscoplastic constitutive models

The work presented in this paper deals with the determination of material parameters used in internal variable constitutive models. In order to determine the best suited material parameter set, in the less computationally expensive way, two optimization approaches are used: (i) a gradient-based method and (ii) a continuous evolutionary algorithm (EA) method. The first approach uses a combination of the steepest descent gradient and the Levenberg–Marquardt techniques. The performance of this method is known to be highly dependent on the starting set of parameters and its results are often inconsistent. The EA-based technique provides a better way to determine an optimized set of parameters (the overall minimum). Thus, the difficulty of choosing a starting set of parameters for this process is minor. The main application in this work is a 16 parameter thermoelastic–viscoplastic constitutive model. Experimental data was obtained from tensile and shear tests at different temperatures and used to compare with numerical results and to determine the correct set of material parameters. Numerical constraints were introduced to enforce physical requirements on the material parameters. Both methods are used to determine the 12 material parameters needed for an AA1050-O aluminium alloy. Although the EA-based method achieved a slightly better result, it proved to be computationally more expensive than the gradient-based method.     

Dependence of linear viscoelastic critical strain and stress values on extent of gelation for a thermally activated gelling system

A large body of literature is focused on the accurate determination of a gel point for systems undergoing a sol-gel phase transition. Investigation into the limiting strain and stress for linear viscoelastic behaviour at various stages of a phase transition such as gelation is a subject that is rarely commented on. The small amplitude oscillatory rheological behaviour of a biopolymer cross-linker system through a thermally activated sol-gel transition is presented. Mechanical spectra were interpreted through application of the gelation criteria of Chambon and Winter (Winter and Chambon 1986; Chambon and Winter 1987), where the (so-called gel strength) parameter S, and relaxation exponent, n are obtained. A detailed study of the limit of linear viscoelasticity yields important trends in critical stress (σ°_c) and critical strain (γ°_c) limits highlighting the possible experimental difficulties associated with mechanical measurements obtained in close proximity to the gel point. Received: 17 March 2000 Accepted: 2 October 2000     

Identification of material parameters for inelastic constitutive models: Stochastic simulations for the analysis of deviations

For parameter identification a distance function between the measured and the simulated data has to be minimized. Therefore, the influence of three different norms used in the definition of such a distance function is investigated. The nonlinear optimization problem is solved using a modified random search algorithm originally proposed by Price (1978). Next a stochastic model for the generation of artificial test data is presented. This model is used for a stochastic simulation of test data (constant strain rate tension with relaxation and creep). From these artificial data the material parameters of the model of Chan, Bodner and Lindholm are identified. To measure the quality of the identified material parameters their mean values and empirical standard deviations are computed. Furthermore, the coefficients of the empirical correlation matrix for the material parameters are computed. The model responses for tensile tests with the parameter vector generated from all tests and with the estimated parameters (from stochastic simulations) differ not considerably. However, for the creep tests the different parameter estimations lead to quite different model responses. Received October 22, 1999     

On the modeling and design of piezocomposites with prescribed properties

Summary  Piezoelectric transversely isotropic matrix containing spheroidal piezoelectric inclusions with different properties and of, generally, diverse aspect ratios is considered. A full set of ten effective electrostatic constants is derived, using the method of effective field. The case, when the inclusions are circular cylinders (fibers) is analyzed in detail. The results are compared with those of several earlier works. They constitute the theoretical framework for the design of piezocomposites with prescribed overall properties. Received 3 May 2001; accepted for publication 26 June 2001