Assessment of a finite element model for plate shearing

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the robustness of a plane strain finite element model that was developed to simulate plate shearing using the Cockroft-Latham fracture criterion and element deletion. Model predictions for blade gap, ductility and edge wear were compared with published experimental results. Results showed that the model was able to simulate initiation and propagation of fracture lines at the punch and die corners and the resultant break angle along the edge was found to be close to values observed in practice. Simulated edge geometry and microhardness were found to be in reasonable agreement with published experimental results for the steel plate considered although the model was unable to simulate double cutting at 0.8 per cent clearance. Results also suggest that edge hardness is independent of the starting ductility in the plate and that increasing the edge radii does not effectively simulate edge wear. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that the plane strain model is able to simulate plate shearing with sufficient accuracy in the range of normal process conditions.