Approximate models for ductile metals containing non-spherical voids -- case of axisymmetric prolate ellipsoidal cavities (Q1319065)

The classical Gurson analysis of a hollow rigid ideal-plastic sphere loaded axisymmetrically is extended to an ellipsoidal volume containing a confocal ellipsoidal (axisymmetric prolate) cavity. A two-field estimate of the overall yield criterion is presented and shown to be reducible, with a few approximations, to a Gurson-like criterion depending on the ``shape parameter'' of the cavity. This approach is used to derive an approximate evolution equation for shape parameter. Comparison with finite element simulations is also done.