Modeling the Bauschinger effect for sheet metals, part I: theory

It is essential to model the Bauschinger effect correctly for sheet metal forming process simulation and subsequent springback prediction when material points are subjected to cyclic loading conditions. The combined nonlinear hardening model for time independent cyclic plasticity, proposed by Chaboche and co-workers, is examined and a simple modification is suggested for the isotropic part of the hardening rule to utilize the conventional tensile test data directly. This modification is useful for the materials whose reverse loading curves saturate to the monotonic loading curve. In addition, an anisotropic nonlinear kinematic hardening model (ANK model) is proposed in an attempt to represent the Bauschinger effect more realistically. Possible offset in flow stress is modeled by treating the back stress evolution during reverse loading differently from the initial loading. This strategy coupled with the modified isotropic hardening rule seems to provide a way to model the Bauschinger effect consistently over multiple cycles. Two types of auto-body alloys are examined in this paper. Associated material parameters are determined by employing available tension-compression test data and multi-cycle bend test data. A developed finite element formulation is applied to analyze simple validation type of problems. The cyclic stress–strain curves generated from the proposed ANK model match remarkably well with measured data.