The mechanical behaviour of ductile materials damaged by two generations of voids

Large strain finite element method is employed to investigate the damaging effect of two generations of voids in ductile materials. An axisymmetric cylinder embedding an initially spherical void is chosen as the model cell. Secondary voids will initiate around the initial void when the local stress/strain in the matrix increases to certain critical conditions. This event is numerically simulated through an empty element technique. The interaction between these two generations of voids has been proved to be favourable to the voiding condition, thus accelerating the material damage, characterized by the value of the overall elastic modulus which may undergo drastic drop when nearing final fracture.