Inelastic Analysis of Components Using a Modulus Adjustment Scheme

Abstract

Mechanical components and structures loaded into inelastic region can fail by low cycle fatigue (LCF). Evaluation of inelastic strain is an important stage in the LCF life prediction methodology. Different techniques, viz., experimental methods, elastic-plastic finite element analysis (FEA), and robust methods, can be used to predict inelastic strains. The state predicted by available robust methods does not correspond to equilibrium state of the component. A method called MARS (modulus adjustment and redistribution of stress) based on linear elastic FEA has been developed to obtain equilibrium and kinematic distributions close to the actual one. The proposed method uses an iterative strategy combined with a modulus reduction technique.