Numerical modelling of the elastoplastic behaviour of a gasket material

Abstract The elastoplastic model proposed here for the gasket material includes: (i) a non-linear and transversely isotropic elastic law, (ii) a plastic behaviour with one or two yielding mechanisms, an isotropic hardening, and a failure surface. It fits the material well under monotonic compression loads, such as the clamping of the bolted system. The advantages of these models are their simplicity, and their capability to the calibration. Moreover, they are already implemented in a finite element program. However, due to the lack of experimental results, we are compelled to put forward many assumptions, for plastic behaviour in particular. Thus, the two test results are inadequate to choose among the two plastic models proposed here. Further tests would be welcomed, and would probably enable us to improve the modelling of the elastoplastic behaviour of the gasket material.