All prev finite element hardness simulations for surface-modified materials have been carried out using commercial or proprietary finite element codes designed for general use. These can be cumbersome, especially for scientists who do not have prev experience with such codes. Many experimentalists around the world would benefit from the ready availability of a hardness simulation code. To this end, we have written a finite element code dedicated to the simulation of indentation hardness tests.
The current version of this code considers the indentation of homogeneous materials. The model is axisymmetric and quasi-static. The elements used are all 4-node, 8-dof, bilinear elements. At present, only rigid conical indenters are available. The code uses the Updated Lagrangian formulation and the plastic flow integration is carried out by a fifth-order embedded Runge-Kutta algorithm with adaptive stepsize control. The program currently considers elastic-plastic materials with kinematic hardening, however, we plan to permit general stress-strain curves in the future. Coulomb friction is modeled at contacting surfaces. Announcement of the availability of this code for general use is expected in the Fall of 1995.