Thermal structural ratcheting simulation-Evaluation of industrial-used constitutive models

This article presents an evaluation of the performance of conventional constitutive models in modelling the structural ratcheting of an austenitic stainless steel structure subjected to a thermomechanical loading. This work highlights the influence of monotonic and cyclic behaviour in ratcheting responses. Propositions on how to determine constitutive models and which ones are able to reproduce ratcheting responses are also presented. Models employing only a few kinematic hardening are found to be inadequate in predicting structural ratcheting. Results predicted by a simplified version of Chaboche model proposed here are found in good agreement as compared to experimental measurements.

Automated summary

This article evaluates the performance of conventional constitutive models in modeling the structural ratcheting of an austenitic stainless steel structure under thermomechanical loading. The study highlights the influence of monotonic and cyclic behavior on ratcheting responses and proposes suggestions for determining constitutive models that can reproduce ratcheting responses. It is found that models employing only a few kinematic hardening are inadequate in predicting structural ratcheting. The results predicted by a simplified version of the Chaboche model proposed in this article show good agreement with experimental measurements.