An Eight-Node Hexahedral Finite Element with Rotational DOFs for Elastoplastic Applications

In this paper, the earlier formulation of the eight-node hexahedral SFR8 element is extended in order to analyze material nonlinearities. This element stems from the so-called Space Fiber Rotation (SFR) concept which considers virtual rotations of a nodal fiber within the element that enhances the displacement vector approximation. The resulting mathematical model of the proposed SFR8 element and the classical associative plasticity model are implemented into a Fortran calculation code to account for small strain elastoplastic problems. The performance of this element is assessed by means of a set of nonlinear benchmark problems in which the development of the plastic zone has been investigated. The accuracy of the obtained results is principally evaluated with some reference solutions.