This project deals with a scientifically and technically important problem, namely the study on ductile fracture in metal forming processes such as extrusion and forging. The approach in this project is to consider the shape change of voids and the progressive loss of strain hardening capability of the matrix material. Following that argument, a theoretical framework is outlined to estimate the average internal void-matrix configuration of the ductile porous material subjected to arbitrary three-dimensional finite deformation. The development of the theory will be buttressed by an experimental program and incorporating it into a finite element program.
