Coalescence of voids by internal necking: Theoretical estimates and numerical results

Upper-bound estimates and supposedly exact numerical results are obtained for the limit loads associated with cylindrical cells containing voids and subjected to boundary conditions that are consistent with post-localization kinematics in porous plastic solids. When supplemented with evolution equations for the microstructural variables, the results can be used in the modeling of void coalescence by internal necking in ductile materials.