Determination of Forming Limit and Fracture Limit Curves Using Digital Image Correlation

Forming limit curve (FLC) and fracture forming limit curve (FFLC) are valuable tools for failure prediction in forming simulation and die try-out in press shops. In this paper, methods are presented to determine FLC and FFLC for sheets of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) using digital image correlation (DIC). Dome tests were conducted on AHSS specimens using DIC system for strain measurement. For generating FLCs, two approaches are introduced to determine the onset of localized necking by analyzing the strain history at critical locations, one of which has been implemented into the commercial DIC software Vic-3D (Correlated Solution inc.). For determination of FFLC, a method for measuring fracture strains based on the strain path evolution is presented. The measured FLCs for several AHSS were compared to the FLCs using ISO 12004-2, and conventional North American experimental measurements and empirical equations. The results of comparison revealed that FLCs using DIC are in good correlation with other existing data, thus validating the presented methodologies.