Effect of intermediate principal stress on flat-ended punch problems

The intermediate principal stress has certain effects on the yield strength of metallic materials under complex stress states. The flat-ended punch problem is a classical and fundamental problem in plasticity theory and mechanical engineering in which the metal beneath a flat-ended punch is under complex stress states. Using the finite difference codes, fast Lagrangian analysis of continua and Unified Strength Theory, the effect of the intermediate principal stress on the flat-ended punch problem is analyzed in this paper. First, the limit pressures of strip and circular punches pressed into an elastoplastic and homogeneous metallic medium are calculated by the two-dimensional finite difference method. The problems of square and rectangular punches are analyzed by the three-dimensional finite difference method. Finally, the effect of the intermediate principal stress on flat-ended punch problems with different punch geometries is analyzed.