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A numerical approach to simulate texture evolution in BCC sheet materials subjected to complex forming strain paths is demonstrated. Drawing-quality (DQ) steel sheet is deformed experimentally through the application of a two-stage, orthogonal strain path. Bulk texture measurements before and after the test capture the crystallographic orientations. Both the undeformed bulk texture and the strain path are used as input for a finite element (FE)/grain model, which defines a unit cell that characterizes micro-structural material behavior. The simulated texture evolution after deformation is then compared with experimental data, and found to be in good agreement.

Tessellation methods have been applied to characterize second phase particle fields and the degree of clustering present in AA 5754 and 5182 automotive sheet alloys. A model of damage development within these materials has been developed using a damage percolation approach based on measured particle distributions. The model accepts tessellated particle fields in order to capture the spatial distributions of particles, as well as nearest neighbour and cluster parameter data. The model demonstrates how damage initiates and percolates within particle clusters in a stable fashion for the majority of the deformation history. Macro-cracking leading to final failure occurs as a chain reaction with catastrophic void linkage triggered once linkage beyond three or more clusters of voids takes place.