An approach to relate shot peening finite element simulation to the actual coverage

Coverage is one of the most important parameters which is always used in practice to characterize a shot peening process. At the same time however, it is the most missing parameter in the finite element simulations of this process. This study aims to relate shot peening simulation to the actual coverage that is developed during the process. Accordingly, two important models from literature are re-simulated and their capability to predict an actual coverage is assessed. Results of this study illustrate that full coverage situation is not captured by these models. Thereafter, a random finite element simulation along with a step by step examination of the treated surface is adopted in order to present an actual coverage evolution. Application of Avrami equation in order to adopt an appropriate number of impingements in simulation to achieve a given coverage for a given target area is examined. According to the result, application of this equation in simulation leads to an overestimation of impingement numbers at full coverage level unless the radius of treated are is at least ten times of the radius of a single indentation.