This research examines the influence of constitutive formulation on the numerical prediction of strain distribution in S7S4 and 6111 aluminum alloy sheet deformed within a hemispherical punch apparatus and a rectangular deep draw universal forming test. Of particular interest is the comparison of quadratic and non-quadratic anisotropic yield criteria when applied to materials, such as aluminum, that display anisotropy characterized by low values of Lankford's coefficient. Simulations were performed using a commercial, explicit finite element code, LS-DYNA3D. Predicted strain distributions were compared to measurements from supporting experiments using a grid strain analysis technique.

The FEM predictions obtained using the non-quadratic Barlat yield criterion demonstrate reasonably good agreement with experiments, especially in the biaxial stretching and plane strain conditions. These results were superior to those obtained using either Hill's quadratic anisotropic criterion or the von Mises isotropic criterion.

A parametric study of the effects of the Coulomb frictional coefficient, μ, on the predicted strain distributions was undertaken and indicated that the strain distributions were sensitive to variations in μ.