An enhanced numerical procedure for the shakedown analysis in multidimensional loading domains

The Residual Stress Decomposition Method for Shakedown (RSDM-S) is a new iterative direct method to estimate the shakedown load in a 2-dimensional (2D) loading domain. It may be implemented to any existing finite element code, without the need to use a mathematical programming algorithm. An improved and enhanced RSDM-S is proposed herein. A new convergence criterion is presented that makes the procedure almost double as fast. At the same time, the procedure is formulated in a 3-dimensional (3D) polyhedral loading domain, consisting of independently varying mechanical and thermal loads. Using a cyclic loading program that follows the outline of this domain, it is shown that there is hardly any increase in the computational time when passing from a 2D to a 3D domain. Finally, keeping the efficiency, using an alternative cyclic loading program, an automation of the approach to any n-dimensional loading domain is presented. Examples of application are included.