Elastic-plastic analysis of a triangular pyramidal indentation

A particular formulation of the three-dimensional finite-element method is established for the elastic-plastic analysis of a triangular pyramidal indentation. Indentations on 0.46% carbon steel and 70/30 brass are analyzed by the proposed method using the tensile stress-strain curve for each material. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results. The curve of the calculated load-penetration depth is analyzed with relation to the geometrical similarity and the mechanical properties. The extension of the plastic zone induced by the indentation made by an indenter is investigated using the analysis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.