Lecture 27: Introduction to the

Slipline Field Theory

Jayadeep U. B.
Dept. of Mechanical Engg., NIT Calicut.
 Introduction
Many problems in metal forming cannot be analyzed using a
homogeneous deformation assumption or the slab method.
A class of such problems, i.e., the ones which can be
approximated to plane plastic flow of rigid perfectly plastic materials,
can be analyzed using the methods of slipline field theory.
Sliplines represent planes of maximum shear stress, and hence
inclined at 45o with principal stress directions.
Though more complicated in theory and application, this method
is capable of (approximately) predicting the point-to-point variation
of stresses within the deformation zone.
Based on this stress variation, the workload requirements can be
estimated.
Modifications are possible to account for strain hardening.
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 Basic Assumptions
The material is isotropic and homogeneous.
The material is rigid perfectly plastic. In other words, elastic
strains and strain hardening are ignored, and hence valid for
problems with large plastic deformation.
Effects of temperature and strain rate are ignored.
Body forces and inertia forces are ignored quasi-static
deformation only is considered.
Plane strain condition plastic flow is restricted to 2D.
The shear stresses at the interfaces are constant usually
frictionless ( = 0) or sticking friction ( = k).

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 A Simple Example
A slipline field for frictionless plane strain indentation.

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 Governing Equations
For a plane plastic flow of rigid perfectly plastic material in the
x-y plane, the state of stress at any point is pure shear superposed
with a hydrostatic stress: z = ( 1 + 2 ) 2 = ( x + y ) 2 = p
Yielding is unaffected by hydrostatic stress.
Maximum shear stress must be equal to the shear yield strength k:
( x y ) xy
2
+ 4 2
= 4 k 2
; k = Y 2 for Tresca criterion
k = Y 3 for von Mises criterion.
In the absence of body forces, we have the equilibrium equations
for a quasi-static problem as:
x xy xy y
+ =0 & + =0
x y x y
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 Governing Equations contd.
The incompressibility condition is expressed in terms of the
components of velocity as: vx + v y = 0
x y
Since the principal axes of stress and strain rate must coincide for
plastic flow of isotropic, rigid perfectly plastic materials:
2xy 2 xy
=
x y x y
Expressing the strain rates in terms of velocity gradients, we get:
vx v y vx v y
( x y ) y + x = 2 xy x y

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 Governing Equations contd.
Hence we have a set of five equations in five unknowns: three
stress components and two velocity components.
If the boundary conditions involve only the stress components, it is
possible to solve for the three stress components using
equilibrium equations and the yield criterion. Then the velocity
components can be determined using the other two equations.
Such problems are called statically determinate.
In most of the practical problems, some boundary conditions are
kinematical in nature.
Such statically indeterminate problems require simultaneous
solution of stress and velocity equations.
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Characteristics or the line
line
Sliplines p line
Through each point, we may
consider a pair of orthogonal lines
along which the shear stress is p

maximum (k). line

These curves are called sliplines or p
shear lines.
We distinguish and lines, such p
that the algebraically largest
principal stress bisects the first
quadrant of - coordinate system.
These lines can be shown to be the
characteristics of hyperbolic equations
for stress as well as velocity.
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 Stresses on an Element
Stresses on an element bounded by sliplines
Pole of Mohrs
circle,
( y , xy )

90o 2

(a) Physical plane (b) Stress plane (Mohrs circle)

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 Henckys Equilibrium Equations
From the Mohrs circle, we have:
x = p k sin 2 ; y = p + k sin 2 ; xy = k cos 2
Substituting in the equilibrium equations:
p
+ 2k cos 2 + sin 2 =0
x x y
p
+ 2k sin 2 cos 2 =0
y x y
These equations are hyperbolic differential equations , and the
sliplines are their characteristics. Hence, the spatial derivatives of
stress can be discontinuous across the sliplines.

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 Henckys Equilibrium Equations contd.
Let x and y axes be tangential to and lines at the considered
point (origin): p p
+ 2k = 0; 2k =0
x x
y y
Thus the tangential derivative of p + 2k vanishes along an line
and that of p 2k vanishes along a line.
This result is independent of the actual orientation of sliplines.
Hence we have: p + 2k = constant along an line
p 2k = constant along a line
These are called Henckys equations, which are the equilibrium
equations expressed along the sliplines.
Henckys equations give the variation in hydrostatic pressure along
the sliplines with change in their orientation.
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 Geiringers Velocity Equations
By taking the velocities along and lines as u and v, the
rectangular components can be expressed in terms of u and v:
vx = u cos v sin ; v y = u sin + v cos
When we take x and y axes tangential to the sliplines:
x = y = p vx v y
= =0
xy = k x =0 y =0
Substituting for the rectangular components into the above
derivatives, and then setting = 0 , we get:
u v
v = 0; +u =0
x x y y
Since the above equations are along the tangents to sliplines, we
get Geiringers equations: du v d = 0 along an line
dv + u d = 0 along a line
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 Some Remarks on Slipline Fields
Hydrostatic pressure and tangential velocity remain constant along
a straight slip line (no change in orientation).
When both families of sliplines are straight, the stress is uniform
in that region, but the velocity is not necessarily uniform.
Since the material is incompressible, normal components of
velocity must be continuous across any curve, but the tangential
components may be discontinuous.
A line of discontinuity must be regarded as the limit of a narrow
region in which rate of shearing is very large. Hence, the line of
discontinuity coincides with a slipline with maximum shear stress.
The jump in tangential velocity must be constant along a slipline.
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 References
Chakrabarty, J., Theory of plasticity, Butterworth-
Heinemann.
Hosford, W.F. and Caddell, R.M., Metal Forming,
Cambridge University Press.
Dieter, G.E., Mechanical Metallurgy, McGraw Hill.
Hoffman, O. and Sachs, G., Introduction to the Theory of
Plasticity for Engineers, McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Hill, R., The Mathematical Theory of Plasticity, Oxford University
Press.
Johnson,W. and Mellor, P.B., Plasticity for Mechanical Engineers,
van Nostrand Company Ltd.

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