An analytical model for plate wrinkling under tri-axial loading and its application

The prediction and prevention of wrinkling have been challenging issues in sheet metal forming processes. In an effort to provide the design and process engineers a reliable and efficient tool in assessing the onset of flange wrinkling, an analytical model, based on the wrinkling criterion proposed by Cao and Boyce [1], is presented here. The critical buckling stress and wavelength as functions of normal pressure are calculated using a combination of energy conservation and plastic bending theory. The present results are in excellent agreement with those obtained from Cao and Boyce’s numerical approach which has demonstrated its excellent predictive capability by comparing the experimental study of a conical cup [1] and a square cup forming [2]. Additionally, the effects of the tension in the plane of sheet and material properties on the initiation of flange wrinkling are investigated.