A Review on Strain Gradient Plasticity Approaches in Simulation of Manufacturing Processes

Abstract

Predicting the performances of a manufactured part is extremely important, especially for industries in which there is almost no room for uncertainties, such as aeronautical or automotive. Simulations performed by means of numerical methods such as Finite Element Methods represent a powerful instrument in achieving high level of predictability. However, some particular combinations of manufactured materials and manufacturing processes might lead to unfavorable conditions in which the classical mathematical models used to predict the behavior of the continuum are not anymore able to deliver predictions that are in good agreement with experimental evidence. Since the first evidences of the shortcomings of the classical model were highlighted, many non-classical continuum mechanics theories have been developed, and most of them introduce dependencies at different levels with the Plastic Strain Gradient. This manuscript aims at gathering the milestone contributions among the Strain Gradient Plasticity Theories developed so far, with the object of exploring the way they interface with the requirements posed by the challenges in simulating manufacturing operations. Finally, the most relevant examples of the applications of Strain Gradient Plasticity Theories for manufacturing simulations have been reported from literature.