The indentation process under the Modular Upper Bound Analysis.

This book is designed as a support to the understand the Upper Bound Theorem principles, from its modular perspective. Devised as development and application guide for the modular model, aims to give a general and wide vision of the more significant aspects for the application of this new methodology in plastic forming processes. The work begins with a brief introduction of the Limit Theorems, focusing on the Upper Bound Theorem. A bibliographic review where the theorem evolution is appreciated is also performed, to further focus the analysis in the modular application. In addition, various relevant aspects which have place in plastic deformation are introduced, such as friction or hardening, as well as the die and workpiece geometry. Subsequently an extensive section with different cases of study is shown, adjusting the model to each case study. Finally, the developed model is validated through experimental trials and numerical analysis using a Finite Element Method based application. This final step is intended to give the necessary know-how to reproduces the whole study to any other processes that needs to be analysed.