A free-Lagrange augmented Godunov method for the simulation of elastic-plastic solids

• Authors: B. P. Howell;G. J. Ball
• Venue: Journal of Computational Physics
• Year: 2002

A Lagrangian finite-volume Godunov scheme is extended to simulate two-dimensional solids in planar geometry. The scheme employs an elastic-perfectly plastic material model, implemented using the method of radial return, and either the 'stiffened' gas or Osborne equation of state to describe the material. The problem of mesh entanglement, common to conventional two-dimensional Lagrangian schemes, is avoided by utilising the free-Lagrange Method. The Lagrangian formulation enables features convecting at the local velocity, such as material interfaces, to be resolved with minimal numerical dissipation. The governing equations are split into separate subproblems and solved sequentially in time using a time-operator split procedure. Local Riemann problems are solved using a two-shock approximate Riemann solver, and piecewise-linear data reconstruction is employed using a MUSCL-based approach to improve spatial accuracy. To illustrate the effectiveness of the technique, numerical simulations are presented and compared with results from commercial fixed-connectivity Lagrangian and smooth particle hydrodynamics solvers (AUTODYN-2D). The simulations comprise the low-velocity impact of an aluminium projectile on a semi-infinite target, the collapse of a thick-walled beryllium cylinder, and the high-velocity impact of cylindrical aluminium and steel projectiles on a thin aluminium target. The analytical solution for the collapse of a thick-walled cylinder is also presented for comparison.