SIMULATION OF FORMING PROCESSES, USING THE ARBITRARY EULERIAN-LAGRANGIAN FORMULATION

The finite element method is frequently used to simulate forming processes for the purpose of predicting the quality of the final product and the load on the tool. If the method is based on either the Eulerian or the Lagrangian formulation, some simulations are arduous or even impossible. To avoid this the arbitrary Eulerian-Lagrangian (AEL) formulation can be used. In this paper the theoretical background of this formulation is presented and some new concepts are introduced. The formulation offers the possibility to improve the geometry of distorted elements. A procedure for automatic mesh adaptation is described. The formulation is employed in the simulation of some axisymmetric forming processes.