Numerical simulation of plastic deformation of pressurized oblate spheroid-inscribed single-curvature shells

The integral hydro-bulge forming (IHBF) technology is used for manufacturin g oblate spheroidal shells. A mild steel oblate spheroidal shell and a stai nless steel shell were manufactured by using this new technology. The IHBF processes of the experimental shells are simulated by using an explicit fin ite element code, the numerical results are discussed and compared with the experimental results. Based on the numerical simulations and experimental results, a few suggestions are made for improving the new technology.