Three-Dimensional Numerical Analysis of Dynamic Thermo-Elastic/Viscoplastic Problem by the Method of Characteristics

This paper is concerned with a numerical technique based on the method of characteristics for three-dimensional dynamic thermo-elastic/viscoplastic problems. A constitutive model covering a wide range of strain rates and a wide range of temperatures, proposed by Tanimura, is used. As a numerical example, the three-dimensional stress wave propagation in a thermo-elastic/viscoplastic bar of square cross section subjected to both an impact loading and a thermal shock is presented. The stability and convergence of these numerical solutions are examined by checking the error in the total energy of the system.