ISSN: 0090-3973
Page Count: 8

Sensitivity Analysis of the Small Specimen Bulge Test by the Finite Element and the Taguchi Methods
Li, W
Analysis engineer, Dalphimetal Ltd.,

Hellen, TK
Professor, Liverpool University,

Brookfield, DJ
Senior lecturer, Liverpool University,

Mottershead, JE
Professor, Liverpool University,

Whelan, M
Senior researcher, European Commission JRC, ISIS-TP210,

(Received 7 June 2000; accepted 29 December 2000)

Abstract

Small punch and bulge tests have been applied to determine material properties from small specimens in the power generation industry for a number of years. This paper applies the finite element (FE) and the Taguchi methods to carry out the sensitivity analysis of the small specimen bulge test to variations of seven parameters. The FE model takes into account elastic/plastic material properties, large strain, and contact behavior with friction. The sensitivity of the punch force to the variation of these parameters has been studied. The relationship between the maximum punch force and the punch displacement and the yield stress of the tested sample has been identified using the orthogonal polynomial regression technique.

Keywords:
bulge test, sensitivity analysis, finite element analysis, Taguchi method

Paper ID: JTE12256J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12256J
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