AM Residual Stress Analysis

Category: Analysis | Consolidated Edition 2026-04-06
CAE visualization for am residual stress theory - technical simulation diagram
AM Residual Stress Analysis

AM Residual Stress: Theoretical Foundations

Overview

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Professor! Today's topic is about AM residual stress analysis, right? What is it?


๐ŸŽ“

Prediction of residual stresses caused by rapid heating/cooling cycles in Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes. Efficient analysis methods like the Inherent Strain Method and lumped layer method are practical.


๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Your explanation is easy to understand, Professor! My confusion about additive manufacturing has cleared up.


Governing Equations


๐ŸŽ“

Expressing this with equations, it looks like this.


$$\boldsymbol{\sigma}_{res} = \int_0^t \mathbf{C}:(\dot{\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}} - \dot{\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}}^{th} - \dot{\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}}^{pl})\,d\tau$$

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Hmm, just the equation doesn't really click for me... What does it represent?


๐ŸŽ“

Inherent Strain Method:



$$\boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^* = \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{th} + \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{pl} + \boldsymbol{\varepsilon}^{phase}$$
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Wait, wait, the Inherent Strain Method... does that mean it can also be used in cases like this?


Theoretical Basis

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

I've heard of "theoretical basis," but I might not fully understand it...


๐ŸŽ“

Simulation for AM residual stress analysis is formulated as a coupled problem of thermodynamics, solid mechanics, and fluid mechanics. The physical phenomena of the manufacturing process span multiple time and spatial scales, requiring an appropriate combination of macro-scale continuum models and meso/micro-scale material models. The goal is to quantitatively predict the causal relationship between process parameters (temperature, speed, load, etc.) and product quality (dimensional accuracy, defects, mechanical properties).



Governing Equations for Manufacturing Processes

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

I'm not good with equations... Could you teach me the "meaning" of the equations for AM residual stress analysis?


๐ŸŽ“

Manufacturing process simulation is formulated as a coupled problem of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics.



Heat Conduction Equation (Energy Conservation)

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

What exactly is the heat conduction equation?



$$ \rho c_p \frac{\partial T}{\partial t} + \rho c_p \mathbf{v} \cdot \nabla T = \nabla \cdot (k \nabla T) + Q $$


๐ŸŽ“

Here, $T$ is temperature, $\mathbf{v}$ is the material velocity field, $k$ is thermal conductivity, and $Q$ is internal heat generation (Joule heating, latent heat, frictional heat, etc.).


๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Now I understand what my senior meant when they said, "Make sure you do manufacturing process simulation properly."



Solidification and Phase Change

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Please teach me about "Solidification and Phase Change"!


๐ŸŽ“

During solidification, the release/absorption of latent heat significantly affects the temperature field. Formulation using the enthalpy method:



๐ŸŽ“

Expressing this with equations, it looks like this.


$$ H(T) = \int_0^T \rho c_p(T') \, dT' + \rho L f_l(T) $$

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Hmm, just the equation doesn't really click for me... What does it represent?


๐ŸŽ“

Here, $L$ is the latent heat, and $f_l(T)$ is the liquid fraction (takes a value between 0 and 1 in the solid-liquid coexistence region).




Constitutive Law for Plastic Deformation

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

What exactly is the constitutive law for plastic deformation?


๐ŸŽ“

Plastic deformation of metals is described by constitutive laws such as the Johnson-Cook model:



$$ \sigma_y = (A + B\varepsilon_p^n)(1 + C \ln \dot{\varepsilon}^*)(1 - T^{*m}) $$


๐ŸŽ“

$A$: Initial yield stress, $B$: Hardening coefficient, $n$: Hardening exponent, $C$: Strain rate sensitivity, $m$: Thermal softening exponent.


๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

After hearing all this, I finally understand why manufacturing process simulation is so important!




Flow Analysis (Filling / Casting)

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Next is the topic of flow analysis. What's it about?


๐ŸŽ“

The flow of molten metal or resin follows the Navier-Stokes equations, but high viscosity and non-Newtonian fluid characteristics must be considered. For injection molding, the Cross-WLF model is standard:



$$ \eta(\dot{\gamma}, T, p) = \frac{\eta_0(T, p)}{1 + (\eta_0 \dot{\gamma} / \tau^*)^{1-n}} $$
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

I see... Manufacturing process simulation seems simple at first glance, but it's actually very profound.


Assumptions and Applicability Limits

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Isn't this equation universal? Is it not applicable in some cases?


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Structural AnalysisThermal AnalysisV&V ยท Quality Assurance
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