Finite element investigation into the torsion test in the range of large strains and deformations

Abstract

Torsion tests with thin-walled tubular, solid cylindrical and Lindholm-type tubular specimens were simulated using the finite element code ABAQUS, in the range of large strains and deformations. The results showed that for thin-walled tubular and solid cylindrical specimens the radii of the specimens almost remained straight during torsion; for Lindholm-type tubular specimens the twist angle of the cross-section at the two ends of the gauge section did not stay constant, due to the change of the specimen geometry (i.e. the end effect). A correction which considers the end effect should therefore be introduced when the stress-strain relationship is characterized. Compared with the stress-strain relationship obtained previously from experiment, a distinct difference was noted when conventional formulae were used to convert the torque and twist angle into the shear stress and shear strain. Further, the influence of axial constraint conditions at the two ends of the specimen was examined; the results showed that axial strains and stresses had no significant influence on the definition of the shear stress-shear strain relation, and hence these can be neglected when the stress-strain relationship is characterized.