An inverse finite element algorithm to identify constitutive properties using dumb-bell miniature specimen

Abstract

An inverse finite element algorithm is established to extract the tensile constitutive properties such as Young's modulus, yield strength and true stress–true strain diagram of a material in a virtually non-destructive manner. Standard test methods for predicting mechanical properties require the removal of large size material samples from the in-service component, which is impractical. To circumvent this situation, a new dumb-bell shaped miniature specimen has been designed and fabricated which can be used for evaluation of properties for a material or component. Also test fixtures were developed to perform a tension test on this proposed miniature specimen in a testing machine. The studies have been conducted in low carbon steel, die steel and medium carbon steel. The output from the miniature test, namely, load–elongation diagram, is obtained and used for the proposed inverse finite element algorithm to find the material properties. Inverse finite element modelling is carried out using a 2D plane stress analysis. The predicted results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.