Thermomechanical modeling of metals at finite strains: First and mixed order finite elements

The aim of this paper is to describe an updated EAS (Enhanced Assumed Strain) finite element formalism developed to model the thermomechanical behavior of metals submitted to large strains. We will also expose the use of mixed order elements (first order mechanical elements strongly coupled with quadratic thermal elements) which, as we will show, is of particular interest for modeling fast processes inducing important temperature gradients. The features of this formalism, used jointly with an Updated Lagrangian approach and an hypoelastic anisothermal constitutive formulation, will be described. Three applications involving finite strains and important thermomechanical couplings will be studied. The results obtained will be compared with the results given by the now classical SRI (Selective Reduced Integration) formalism. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.