Abstract
The finite element method is commonly used to simulate sheet forming processes to improve machining accuracy For a sheet forming process, conventional shell element is not sufficient to simulate the complex behaviors, such as, the deformations of the sheet and the contact forces at the sheet-die interface In this work, we propose an approach that accounts for the changes of the stress distribution along through the thickness We introduce a displacement variation along the thickness direction and propose the structural element in which the distribution of a contact force and a deformation in the thickness direction is considered.
