Simulation of Deep Spherical Indentation Using Eulerian Finite Element Methods

Simulation of deep indentation, and the associated pile-up effects, requires a robust and accurate finite element model capable of naturally handling the large deformations present. This work successfully demonstrates that the Eulerian formulation is capable of accurately reproducing the forces and general material response of deep indentation. It was found that, in the absence of friction, sink-in dominates at indentation depths less than 1.1% of the indenter radius, there is a transition from sink-in to pile-up from 1.1% to 2.3% of the indenter radius, and pile-up is fully developed at indentation depths larger than 13.2% of the indenter radius for the 4340 steel workpiece and the 0.508 mm radius indenter presented in this work. Friction tended to marginally increase the sink-in and transition depths as well as reduce the material height at the onset of fully developed pile-up due to a reduction in the tensile radial strain directly under the indenter.