Deformation Analysis of Simple-Shear Sheet Specimens

Abstract

The shear properties of different simple-shear sheet specimens were investigated using the elastic-plastic finite element method. Tension loaded specimens with a shear zone formed at the center area between two transverse slots were adopted to analyze the shear properties of sheet metals under uniaxial tension. Specimens prepared by single material as well as by bonding two different strength materials together were both studied. Since the shear zone could not be kept free from bending stress during loading, the pure shear deformation was not possibly obtained. However, by varying the shape and the location of the slots, an optimum geometry of the shear zone which yields a nearly pure shear deformation in the plastic range was determined through the finite element analysis. The results also revealed when the shear zone was formed by a low strength material which was bonded on each side with a higher strength material, a nearly pure shear deformation could be obtained even in the elastic range.