Boundary element methods for three-dimensional thermoplasticity

A new boundary element formulation is presented for quasistatic thermoplasticity. The governing integral equations utilize kernel functions based upon the fundamental solutions of uncoupled thermoelasticity, thereby eliminating volume discretization except in regions where plasticity occurs. As a result, the boundary element approach becomes an attractive alternative to finite element methods, particularly for problems involving localized plastic effects. In addition, the present work introduces a temperature-dependent strain-hardening material model and includes the body heat sources due to inelastic dissipation. The entire three-dimensional formulation has been implemented in a general-purpose boundary element code. Details of this numerical implementation are provided, along with results of several illustrative examples.