Element-free Galerkin method for contact problems in metal forming analysis

Abstract

The total Lagrangian formulation and implementation of the element-free Galerkin method (EFG) is presented for the analysis of contact-impact problems with large deformations and for the simulation of metal forming processes. An integration scheme based on stress points is used, so no mesh is needed. A simple but general contact searching algorithm is used to treat the contact interface and an algorithm for the contact force is presented. Numerical results for Taylor bar impact are compared to finite element solutions and agree well. Solutions to upsetting, extrusion of metals with large material distortions are given to show the effectiveness of the algorithm. In particular, EFG is shown to be more capable of treating motions of the workpiece around corners of the punch than finite element methods.