Path-dependence of the forming limit stresses in a sheet metal

The effect of changing strain paths on the forming limit stresses of sheet metals is investigated using the Marciniak-Kuczynski model and a phenomenological plasticity model with non-normality effects [Kuroda, M., Tvergaard, V., 2001. A phenomenological plasticity model with non-normality effects representing observations in crystal plasticity. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 49, 1239-1263]. Forming limits are simulated for linear stress paths and two types of combined loading: a combined loading consisting of two linear stress paths in which unloading is included between the first and second loadings (combined loading A), and combined loading in which the strain path is abruptly changed without unloading (combined loading B). The forming limit stresses calculated for combined loading A agree well with those calculated for the linear stress paths, while the forming limit curves in strain space depend strongly on the strain paths. The forming limit stresses calculated for the combined loading B do not, however, coincide with those calculated for the linear stress paths. The strain-path dependence of the forming limit stress is discussed in detail by observing the strain localization process. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.