Towards variational constitutive updates for finite strain plasticity models based on non-associative evolution equations

In this contribution, first steps towards variational constitutive updates for finite strain plasticity theory based on non-associative evolution equations are presented. These schemes allow to compute the unknown state variables such as the plastic part of the deformation gradient, together with the deformation mapping, by means of a fully variational minimization principle. Therefore, standard optimization algorithms can be applied to the numerical implementation leading to a very robust and efficient numerical implementation. Particularly, for highly non-linear, singular or nearly ill-posed physical models like that corresponding to crystal plasticity showing a large number of possible active slip planes, this is a significant advantage compared to standard constitutive updates such as the by now classical return-mapping algorithm. While variational constitutive updates have been successfully derived for associative plasticity models, their extension to more complex constitutive laws, particularly to those featuring non-associative evolution equations, is highly challenging. In the present contribution, a certain class of non-associative finite strain plasticity models is discussed and recast into a variationally consistent format. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Variational Phase Field Modeling of Laminate Deformation Microstructure in Finite Gradient Crystal Plasticity

The macroscopic mechanical behavior of many materials crucially depends on the formation and evolution of their microstructure. In this work, we consider the formation and evolution of laminate deformation microstructure in plasticity. Inspired by work on the variational modeling of phase transformation [5] and building on related work on multislip gradient crystal plasticity [9], we present a new finite strain model for the formation and evolution of laminate deformation microstructure in double slip gradient crystal plasticity. Basic ingredients of our model are a nonconvex hardening potential and two gradient terms accounting for geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) by use of the dislocation density tensor and regularizing the sharp interfaces between different kinematically coherent plastic slip states. The plastic evolution is described by means of a nonsmooth dissipation potential for which we propose a new regularization. We formulate a continuous gradient-extended rate-variational framework and discretize it in time to obtain an incremental-variational formulation. Discretization in space yields a finite element formulation which is used to demonstrate the capability of our model to predict the formation and evolution of laminate deformation microstructure in f.c.c. Copper with two active slip systems in the same slip plane. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the role of dislocation conservation in higher-order crystal plasticity

The interactions between individual dislocations contribute significantly to size effects as observed at the plastic deformation of miniaturized structures. When employing a crystal plasticity framework, these interactions are usually captured by an additional balance relation. In this paper we study two approaches to capture dislocation interactions in crystal plasticity that differ by the conservation of dislocations. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Mixed Variational Principles and Robust Finite Element Design of Gradient Plasticity at Finite Strains

The modeling of size effects in elastic-plastic solids, such as the width of shear bands or the grain size dependence in polycrystals, must be based on non-standard theories which incorporate length-scales. This is achieved by models of strain gradient plasticity, incorporating spatial gradients of selected micro-structural fields which describe the evolving dissipative mechanisms. The key aspect of this work is to provide a rigorous incremental variational formulation and mixed finite element design of additive finite gradient plasticity in the logarithmic strain space. We start from a mixed saddle point principle for metric-type plasticity, which is specified for the important model problem of isochoric plasticity with gradient-extended hardening/softening response. To this end, we propose a novel finite element design of the coupled problem incorporating a local-global solution strategy of short- and long-range fields. This includes several new aspects, such as extended Q1P0-type and MINI-type finite elements for gradient plasticity [4]. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Time integration of inelastic material models exhibits an order reduction for higher-order methods – can this be avoided?

For the numerical treatment of inelastic material behavior within the finite element method a partitioned ansatz is standard in most of the software frameworks; the weak form of equilibrium is discretized in space and solved on a global level, whereas the initial value problem for the evolution equations of internal state variables is separately solved on a local, i.e. Gauss-point level, where strains, derived from global displacements, serve as input, [1]. Applying higher order methods (p > 2) to the time integration of plasticity models an order reduction is reported where Runge-Kutta schemes have shown hardly more than order two at best [2, 3]. In the present contribution, we analyze the reason for order reduction and in doing so, introduce an improved strain approximation and switching point detection which play a crucial role for the convergence order of multi-stage methods used in this context. We apply Runge-Kutta methods of Radau IIa class to the evolution equations of viscoelastic and elastoplastic material models and show ther improved performence in numerical examples. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crysal Plasticity Finite Element Simulations based on Continuum Dislocation Dynamics

Plastic deformation of crystalline materials is the result of the motion and interaction of dislocations. Continuum dislocation dynamics (CDD) defines flux-type evolution equations of dislocation variables which can capture the kinematics of moving curved dislocations. Coupled with Orowan's law, which connects the plastic shear rate to the dislocation flux, CDD defines a dislocation density based material law for crystal plasticity. In the current work we provide simulations of a micro-bending experiment of a single crystal and compare the results qualitatively to those from discrete dislocation simulations from the literature. We show that CDD reproduces salient features from discrete dislocation simulations regarding the stress distribution, the dislocation density and the accumulated plastic shear, which would be hard to obtain from more traditional crystal plasticity constitutive laws. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A critical review of the state of finite plasticity

The object of this paper is to provide a critical review of the current state of plasticity in the presence of finite deformation. In view of the controversy regarding a number of fundamental issues between several existing schools of plasticity, the areas of agreement are described separately from those of disagreement. Attention is mainly focussed on the purely mechanical, rate-independent, theory of elastic-plastic materials, although closely related topics such as rate-dependent behavior, thermal effects, experimental and computational aspects, microstructural effects and crystal plasticity are also discussed and potentially fruitful directions are identified.A substantial portion of this review is devoted to the area of disagreement that covers a detailed presentation of argument(s), bothpro andcon, for all of the basic constitutive ingredients of the rate-independent theory such as the primitive notion or definition of plastic strain, the structure of the constitutive equation for the stress response, the yield function, the loading criteria and the flow and the hardening rules. The majority of current research in finite plasticity theory, as with its infinitesimal counterpart, still utilizes a (classical) stress-based approach which inherently possesses some shortcomings for the characterization of elastic-plastic materials. These and other anomalous behavior of a stress-based formulation are contrasted with the more recent strain-based formulation of finite plasticity. A number of important features and theoretical advantages of the latter formulation, along with its computational potential and experimental interpretation, are discussed separately.     

Generalized Interface Models With Damage in Gradient Plasticity

Gradient plasticity can account for experimentally observed size effects. Here, a previously developed gradient plasticity model is extended to account for interface delamination processes. The crystal plasticity model is based on the gradient of an equivalent plastic strain measure. A modification of the related boundary conditions allows for the formulation of a generalized cohezive zone model which can take into account the effect of interface delamination on the gradient plasticity solution. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Error estimation,adaptivity and data transfer in enriched plasticity continua to analysis of shear band localization

In this paper, an adaptive FE analysis is presented based on error estimation, adaptive mesh refinement and data transfer for enriched plasticity continua in the modelling of strain localization. As the classical continuum models suffer from pathological mesh-dependence in the strain softening models, the governing equations are regularized by adding rotational degrees-of-freedom to the conventional degrees-of-freedom. Adaptive strategy using element elongation is applied to compute the distribution of required element size using the estimated error distribution. Once a new mesh is generated, state variables and history-dependent variables are mapped from the old finite element mesh to the new one. In order to transfer the history-dependent variables from the old to new mesh, the values of internal variables available at Gauss point are first projected at nodes of old mesh, then the values of the old nodes are transferred to the nodes of new mesh and finally, the values at Gauss points of new elements are determined with respect to nodal values of the new mesh. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed model and computational algorithms is demonstrated by several numerical examples.     

Simulation of micro cutting considering crystal plastic deformations

The micro cutting process of microstructured material is simulated with consideration of the heterogeneities of the microstructure. In the case of cp-titanium with its hcp crystal structure the basal and prismatic slip systems are taken into account. The concept of crystal plasticity for large deformations is applied considering elastic anisotropy, self and latent hardening. The visco-plastic evolution law incorporates rate dependent material behavior. This setup is implemented within the finite element method. The effects of the microstructure are demonstrated by an illustrative example and a comparison to an isotropic von Mises elasto-plastic material. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Application of Strain Gradient Plasticity to Micro-torsion Experiments

The applicability of a strain gradient crystal plasticity model to size effects observed on microwires in torsion experiments is discussed. Finite Element simulations of simplified cylindrical grain aggregations are presented and the resulting overall mechanical response is compared to experimental data for gold from the literature. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Configurational Forces in Cutting Processes of Microstructured Titanium

The micro cutting process of microstructured material is influenced by the heterogeneity of the microstructure. In case of cp-titanium an hcp crystal structure is present. Therefore the material response is described with elastic anisotropy and crystal plasticity with the prismatic and basal slip systems of cp-titanium. Also self and latent hardening are considered. The rate dependency is taken into account by a visco-plastic evolution law. In order to investigate a micro cutting process the concept of configurational forces for standard dissipative media is used. Within the finite element method an example illustrates the effects of the heterogeneity and the grain boundary on the configurational force. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Applied mathematical modelling in marine science

The essential elements of a general interdisciplinary marine model are reviewed; state variables are identified, evolution equations are discussed and major parameters are indicated. The methods of reducing the size of the model by aggregation in state space (reduction of scope) or averaging in physical space (reduction of support) are revised with particular emphasis on the associated parameterization of the non-linear effects. Examples of application are given in illustration and comparison of the models' predictions with observations indicates the degree of accuracy and the limits of viability of present state marine modelling.     

Configurational Forces in Crystal Plasticity

The surface morphology of micro machined surfaces depends on the heterogeneous microstructure. A crystal plasticity model is used to describe the plastic deformation in cp-titanium with its hcp crystal structure. Therefore the basal and prismatic slip systems are taken into account. Furthermore, self and latent hardening are considered. The rate dependency is motivated by a visco plastic evolution law. The cutting process of cp-titanium is modeled within the concept of configurational forces for a standard dissipative media. This framework is implemented into the finite element method. An example illustrates the effects of the microstructure on plastic deformation and configurational forces. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Three-dimensional data transfer operators in large plasticity deformations using modified-SPR technique

In this paper, the data transfer operators are developed in 3D large plasticity deformations using superconvergent patch recovery (SPR) method. The history-dependent nature of plasticity problems necessitates the transfer of all relevant variables from the old mesh to new one, which is performed in three main stages. In the first step, the history-dependent internal variables are transferred from the Gauss points of old mesh to nodal points. The variables are then transferred from nodal points of old mesh to nodal points of new mesh. Finally, the values are computed at the Gauss points of new mesh using their values at nodal points. As the solution procedure, in general, cannot be re-computed from the initial configuration, it is continued from the previously computed state. In particular, the transfer operators are defined for mapping of the state and internal variables between different meshes. Aspects of the transfer operators are presented by fitting the best polynomial function with the C₀, C₁ and C₂ continuity in 3D superconvergent patch recovery technique. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed model and computational algorithms is demonstrated through numerical examples.     

A probabilistic analysis of the set covering problem

A probabilistic analysis of the minimum cardinality set covering problem (SCP) is developed, considering a stochastic model of the (SCP), withn variables andm constraints, in which the entries of the corresponding (m, n) incidence matrix are independent Bernoulli distributed random variables, each with constant probabilityp of success. The behaviour of the optimal solution of the (SCP) is then investigated as bothm andn grow asymptotically large, assuming either an incremental model for the evolution of the matrix (for each size, the matrixA is obtained bordering a matrix of smaller size by new columns and rows) or an independent one (for each size, an entirely new set of entries forA are considered). Two functions ofm are identified, which represent a lower and an upper bound onn in order the (SCP) to be a.e. feasible and not trivial. Then, forn lying within these bounds, an asymptotic formula for the optimum value of the (SCP) is derived and shown to hold a.e.The performance of two simple randomized algorithms is then analyzed. It is shown that one of them produces a solution value whose ratio to the optimum value asymptotically approaches 1 a.e. in the incremental model, but not in the independent one, in which case the ratio is proved to be tightly bounded by 2 a.e. Thus, in order to improve the above result, a second randomized algorithm is proposed, for which it is proved that the ratio between the approximate solution value and the optimum approaches 1 a.e. also in the independent model.     

Theoretical and experimental researches of size effect in micro-indentation test

Micro-indentation tests at scales on the order of sub-micron have shown that the measured hardness increases strongly with the indent depth or indent size decreasing, which is frequently referred to as the size effect. However, the trend is at odds with the size-independence implied by conventional elastic-plastic theory. In this paper, strain gradient plasticity theory is used to model the size effect for materials undergoing the micro-indenting. Meanwhile, the micro-indentation experiments for single crystal copper and single crystal aluminum are carried out. By the comparison of the theoretical predictions with experimental measurements, the micro-scale parameter of strain gradient plasticity theory is predicted, which is fallen into the region of 0.8–1.5 micron for the conventional metals such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al) and silver (Ag). Moreover, the phenomena of the pile-up and sink-in near micro-indent boundary are investigated and analyzed in detail.