Hierarquia de Modelos Numéricos para Ensaio de Elemento de Aço SAE 1020 Submetido à Tração

Resumo

The adoption of numerical modeling hierarchies in the development of finite element models represents an efficient strategy to meet the demands of the job market, which often imposes tight deadlines for obtaining reliable results. By implementing models with increasing levels of complexity, it becomes possible to begin with simplified geometries and reduced processing times, thereby providing preliminary data to support decision-making during the early stages of the project. As models are refined, more rigorous hypotheses can be developed. This approach not only optimizes time and computational resource management but also ensures a continuous flow of relevant information aligned with the dynamics of industrial and engineering environments. In this context, this study proposes a numerical modeling hierarchy to simulate the behavior of a structural element made of SAE 1020 steel subjected to direct tensile testing, according to ISO 6892-1. This steel was selected due to its wide availability. Starting from an analytical solution based on classical Strength of Materials theory, the numerical model hierarchy progresses from two-dimensional "PLANE182" elements to two-dimensional "SHELL181" elements, and finally to three-dimensional "SOLID186" elements. Simulations were carried out using both linear and nonlinear analyses, including material yielding. The experimental test was performed using an EMIC/Instron DL-10000 machine, while the numerical models were developed using the commercial software ANSYS. The tensile behavior of the tested specimens was compared with the results of each numerical model, along with processing times, which varied by up to 124%. Differences were observed between the experimental and numerical results, although the simulations achieved less than 0.2% relative error. Among the proposed models, the suggested hierarchy allowed for mesh refinement to be limited in favor of reduced processing time.