finite element modeling of abrasive waterjet cutting of a steel specimen

numerical modeling of machining processes is of significance in the parametric analysis and optimization of their performance. in this paper, a finite element-based model of abrasive waterjet (awj) cutting of a ductile material is presented with the help of an explicit, nonlinear finite element method. in this model, both solid-solid interaction and fluid-structure interaction are considered. the water is modeled as an eulerian volume. the euler-lagrange coupling algorithm is employed to simulate the interaction of the waterjet with the abrasive particle and the target material. an elastic-plastic behavior is defined for the target material and the abrasive particle is assumed spherical, which behaves like an elastic material. the erosion of the target due to the awj impact is simulated using the element deletion approach. the variation of the depth of cut with respect to the waterjet pressure is estimated and compared with experimental results.