A nonlinear total Lagrangian formulation for thermomechanical analysis including contact

• Grant number: 24/01594-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Humberto Breves Coda
• Grantee: Eduardo Yuiti Hayashi
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project, we propose the study and implementation of a nonlinear numerical strategy for solving thermomechanical problems involving contact/impact of highly deformable solids. Thermomechanical analysis is essential in the process of analyzing materials/structures, due to the importance of considering the reduction of mechanical properties in the presence of highly thermal actions. In this sense one can mention fire exposure, ballistics and metal forming problems. Given the importance of the constitutive model for the adequate simulation of the material's behavior, the main objective of the project is to develop an innovative thermo-visco-elasto-plastic model to be implemented in the computational code started at the master degree. Besides modeling thermomechanical problem with emphasis on metallic and polymeric materials, contact /impact will be also implemented. The inclusion of contact seeks to expand the application range of the proposed thermo-visco-elasto-plastic formulation, with the constitutive model, its implementation, and validation being the original focus of the research. The main steps to achieve the final objective are: (a) study, development and implementation of a Zener-type viscosity model in alternative elasto-plastic strategy, (b) adaptation of the total Lagrangian heat transfer model (master degree) to account for changes in the body's shape throughout the analysis, (c) proposition, study and implementation of the thermo-visco-elasto-plastic constitutive model with dependence on temperature levels for metallic and polymeric materials subject to large deformations, (d) thermomechanical coupling and (e) study and implementation of a contact algorithm suitable for forming and/or impact problems, expanding the applicability and verification objectives of the proposed constitutive model. For the success of the intended research, the supervisor's experience in the aforementioned topics and the planned cooperation with a first-rate international research group (BEPE) are considered along the project.