A fast algorithm for strain prediction in tube hydroforming based on one-step inverse approach

This paper presents recent developments of a simplified finite element method called the inverse approach (IA) for the estimation of large elastoplastic strains and thickness distribution in tube hydroforming. The basic formulation of the IA, proposed by Guo et al. (1990), has been modified and adapted for the modeling of three-dimensional tube hydroforming problems in which the initial geometry is a circular tube expanded by internal pressure and submitted to axial feed at the tube ends. The application of the IA is illustrated through the analyses of numerical applications concerning the hydroforming of axisymmetric bulge, made from aluminum alloy 6061-T6 tubing, the hydroforming of square section hollow component and the hydroforming of a free Tee extrusion from welded low carbon steel LCS-1008 tubing. Verifications of the obtained results have been carried out using experimental results together with the classical explicit dynamic incremental approach using ABAQUS^® commercial code to show the effectiveness of our approach.