On nonlinear constitutive models for functionally graded materials exhibiting large strains: numerical implementation in geometrically nonlinear formulation

The main objective of this study is the computational implementation of elastic and elastoplastic constitutive models for functionally graded materials in large deformation regime. In order to numerically simulate a structural problem, the finite elements used are solids (tetrahedric and hexahedric) of any order of approximation. Entities from Nonlinear Continnum Mechanics, as strain and stress, are used in the present formulation. To reproduce the finite displacements, the geometrically nonlinear analysis is employed. The description adopted here is the total Lagrangian, and the structural equilibrium is expressed by means of the Principal of Minimum Total Potential Energy. Regarding the elastic material response, hyperelastic constitutive laws are used, in which the stress-strain relation is obtained from a scalar potential. The elastoplastic material behavior is defined by the strain decomposition in the elastic and plastic parts, by the von-Mises yield criterion, by the associative flow law, by the consistency and complementarity conditions, by the isotropic hardening parameter, and by the backstress tensor, related to the kinematic hardening. Two elastoplastic formulations are used here: the Green-Naghdi one, in which the strain is additively decomposed; and the hyperelastoplasticiy, in which the gradient is multiplicatively decomposed. The concept of functionally graded (FG) material, in which the constitutive properties vary gradually (continuous and smoothly), is also used. The numerical solution of the forces equilibrium is obtained via Newton-Raphson iterative procedure. In order to satisfy the yield criterion, the strategies of elastic prediction and plastic correction (via return algorithms) are used. Basically, five computer codes have been developed: the automatic shape functions generator; the solid mesh generator; the code for analysis of materials in the elastic regime; the code for analysis of materials in the elastoplastic regime; and the post-processor. Besides these, the student had contact with the programs EPIM3D and DD3IMP during his doctoral stage in the University of Coimbra (Portugal). The programs EPIM3D and DD3IMP are employed to analyze, respectively, materials in the elastoplastic regime, and sheet-metal forming processes. For the problem of the bar under uniform uniaxial tension, equations and analytical solutions are described for homogeneous and FG materials. To reduce the simulation time, the parallel programming has been employed. According to the numerical simulation results, the main conclusions are: the results accuracy is improved with mesh refinement for materials in the elastic and elastoplastic regimes; the Green-Naghdi elastoplastic formulation and the hyperelastoplasticity appear to be equivalent for small strains; the hyperelastoplastic formulation is equivalent to the mechanical model of the programs EPIM3D and DD3IMP for materials the small elastic strains regime; simulation time reduction has been obtained with the parallelization of the computer codes for structural analysis; the developed programs are capable of simulating, precisely, complex problems, such as the Cook\'s membrane and the pulled thin cylinder. (AU)