Finite element formulation for modelling large deformations in elasto-viscoplastic polycrystals

Anisotropic, elasto-viscoplastic behaviour in polycrystalline materials is modelled using a new, updated Lagrangian formulation based on a three-field form of the Hu-Washizu variational principle to create a stable finite element method in the context of nearly incompressible behaviour. The meso-scale is characterized by a representative volume element, which contains grains governed by single crystal behaviour. A new, fully implicit, two-level, backward Euler integration scheme together with an efficient finite element formulation, including consistent linearization, is presented. The proposed finite element model is capable of predicting non-homogeneous meso-fields, which, for example, may impact subsequent recrystallization. Finally, simple deformations involving an aluminium alloy are considered in order to demonstrate the algorithm. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.