Localized Necking Model for Punching Fracture Simulation in Unstiffened and Stiffened Panels

The ductile fracture of thin-shell structures was studied here using a localized necking model. The punching experiments for unstiffened and stiffened panels were compared with numerical predictions using a combined ductile fracture and localized necking model using shell elements. The plasticity and fracture model parameters of JIS G3131 SPHC steel were identified by performing calibration experiments on standard flat bars, notched tension, central hole tension, plane strain tension, and shear specimens. The plasticity beyond the onset of necking was modeled using the Swift hardening law. The damage indicator framework with a combined Hosford–Coulomb fracture model and the domain of shell-to-solid equivalence (DSSE) were adopted to characterize the fracture initiation. The model parameters were calibrated based on the loading paths to fracture initiation, which were extracted from a non-linear finite element (FE) analysis. The presented HC–DSSE model was validated using punch tests and was able to predict fracture initiation with good accuracy.