When grid-based numerical methods dealt with large plastic deformation problems such as free forging,stamping forming, high speed impact and dynamic crack propagation,there was frequently loss of calculation accuracy due to mesh distortion and remeshing difficulties, or even the calculation could not be conducted. Aiming at these problems, a numerical simulation method for large metal plastic deformation-RPF method was proposed based on theory of continuum mechanics and the basic principles of molecular dynamics. A mathematical model for RPF method was established and critical numerical techniques such as initial particle configuration, particle search algorithm, numerical integration and boundary conditions were studied. When RPF method was applied to high temperature upsetting of nuclear power disk forgings and finish forging of heavy nuclear power head, the calculation results show that for simulating large plastic deformation problems, the results of RPF method are in good agreement with the experimental ones, and RPF method can effectively explain the formation mechanism of laminated cracks in heavy disk forgings and lamellar tearing in head forgings. This research lays the foundation for further simulating more complex free forging processes using RPF method.
