Relevance of Symmetry Assumptions in the 3D Numerical Modeling of a Flowformability Test

A novel flowformability test is under development at CEMEF in order to be able to predict damage at large strains under complex loading conditions corresponding to tube flowforming. The design of this test relies on 3D numerical simulations performed with the finite element software Forge® 3.1 Nxt. Such simulations, using classical implicit updated Lagrangian formulations, are costly because of the very small-time step and the fine mesh required to describe accurately the local and evolving contact of the tube with the roller (s). The aim of this paper is to study the relevance and the influence of the use of symmetry conditions in the modeling accuracy of this flowformability test.