Failure prediction and validation of a steel automotive safety part

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate thefailure behaviour of a HSLA steel component subjected to a bending unbending operation. This study was conducted through a combined experimental and numerical approach to better understand the limitations of current models and generate more suitable data that can be used to further optimize the manufacturing process. The numerical approach was carried out using two finite element codes (ABAQUS and PAM-STAMP) and two fracture models (Gurson and CrachFEM). The material and fracture data to be used in the numerical simulations was obtained through mechanical tests (tensile and shear tests) conducted to identify the monotonic and damage behaviour of $500 MC. Furthermore, bending and unbending tests were performed with the purpose of validating the models and study the operating performance of this material when subjected to these kinds of loading. The final purpose of this work is to present a numerical approach that can accurately predict the mechanical and failure behaviour of a real automotive safety component.