Application of rigid–plastic meso-damage constitutive theory to superplastic bulge forming

A rigid–plastic meso-damage constitutive theory is applied to predict the influence of void evolution on the superplastic forming process. Together with this constitutive theory, a simple analytical model is used to simulate the bulge forming process of a spherical dome. The distribution and evolution of damage, deformation, geometrical parameters, and mechanical properties such as strength and ductility throughout the bulging dome are systematically explored. Since a series of numerical results obtained are in good agreement with the actual phenomena and previous experimental results, the applicability of the rigid–plastic meso-damage constitutive theory to superplastic forming processes is considered proven.