Investigation of Springback of Metallic Sheets at Small Strains

International audienceThe bending process of an aluminium alloy and a high-strength steel is analysed using the cylindrical bending test of Numisheet 2002 (Proceedings of the 5th International conference and workshop on numerical simulation of 3D sheet forming processes, 2002, Jeju Island, South Korea). Despite its simplicity, it is now well known that this test is difficult to reproduce numerically. Indeed, it involves small plastic strains but large springback and exhibits complex contact boundary conditions providing severe benchmark characteristics. In order to obtain reliable results to be used for the validation of finite element models or simulations, particular attention has been paid to the fine measurement of several experimental parameters using a high-resolution video camera. Several geometrical and contact parameters, as well as the springback angle, are determined. The springback results are compared with analytical results obtained using a classical bending model. It is shown that the agreement is good if the work-hardening is identified within a small strain range, corresponding to the one covered during the test, as it mainly involves small deformations, pure bending and a weak anticlastic effect. Moreover, the decrease in the apparent modulus as a function of plastic strain leads to a more accurate measurement of the variation in the springback angle