Numerical simulation of non-standard tensile tests of thin metal foils

The evolution of the fracture processes occurring in thin metal foils can be evidenced by tensile tests performed on samples of non-standard dimensions. The load versus displacement record of these experiments does not return directly the local stress-strain relationship and the fracture characteristics of the investigated material. In fact, the overall response of thin foils is sensitive to local imperfections, size and geometric effects. Simulation models of the performed tests can support the interpretation of the experimental results, provided that the most significant physical phenomena are captured. The present contribution focuses on the role of modelling details on the numerical output that can be obtained in this context.