A constitutive model for non-Newtonian materials based on the persistence-of-straining tensor

We present a constitutive equation for non-Newtonian materials which is capable of predicting, independently, steady state rheological material functions both in shear and in extension. The basic assumption is that the extra-stress tensor is a function of both the rate-of-strain tensor, D, and the persistence-of-straining tensor, -\boldsymbol{P}=\boldsymbol{D}\overline{\boldsymbol{W}}-\overline{\boldsymbol {W}}\boldsymbol{D}, introduced in Thompson and de Souza Mendes (Int. J. Eng. Sci. 43(1–2):79–105, 2005). The resulting equation falls within the category of constitutive equations of the form t=t(D,[`(W)])\boldsymbol{\tau}=\boldsymbol{\tau}(\boldsymbol {D},\overline{\boldsymbol{W}}), with the advantage of eliminating the undesirable stress jumps that may occur when [`(W)]\overline {\boldsymbol{W}} becomes locally undetermined. We also show that this formulation is not restricted to motions with constant relative principle stretch history (MWCRPSH), in contrast to what is suggested in the literature. The same basis of tensors that comes from representation theorems also arises from an elastic constitutive equation based on the difference between the Jauman and the Harnoy convected time derivatives, in the limit of small values of the Deborah number.     

A new class of micro–macro models for elastic–viscoplastic heterogeneous materials

The determination of the effective behavior of heterogeneous materials from the properties of the components and the microstructure constitutes a major task in the design of new materials and the modeling of their mechanical behavior. In real heterogeneous materials, the simultaneous presence of instantaneous mechanisms (elasticity) and time dependent ones (non-linear viscoplasticity) leads to a complex space–time coupling between the mechanical fields, difficult to represent in a simple and efficient way. In this work, a new self-consistent model is proposed, starting from the integral equation for a translated strain rate field. The chosen translated field is the (compatible) viscoplastic strain rate of the (fictitious) viscoplastic heterogeneous medium submitted to a uniform (unknown) boundary condition. The self-consistency condition allows to define these boundary conditions so that a relative simple and compact strain rate concentration equation is obtained. This equation is explained in terms of interactions between an inclusion and a matrix, which lead to interesting conclusions. The model is first applied to the case of two-phase composites with isotropic, linear and incompressible viscoelastic properties. In that case, an exact self-consistent solution using the Laplace–Carson transform is available. The agreement between both approaches appears quite good. Results for elastic–viscoplastic BCC polycrystals are also presented and compared with results obtained from Kröner–Weng's and Paquin et al. (Arch. Appl. Mech. 69 (1999) 14)'s model.     

A constitutive model for active–passive transition of muscle fibers

In this paper, we examine the transition of striated muscles between active and passive states. New experimental data of a muscle performing such a transition are provided, allowing for a new model to be developed to capture this mechanical behavior. Specifically, a strain energy function is formulated using the theory of transient networks, introducing an intermediate, stress-free configuration for the active muscle fibers. Additionally, energy dissipation occurring during the unloading is accounted for by specifying a pseudo-energy function. The general three-dimensional case is specialized to uniaxial deformation for comparison with test data, from which material parameters are determined. Finally, numerical results are presented, demonstrating the model's ability to capture the mechanical behavior with changing stimulus.     

An anisotropic elastic–viscoplastic model for soft clays

Experimental evidences have shown deficiencies of the existing overstress and creep models for viscous behaviour of natural soft clay. The purpose of this paper is to develop a modelling method for viscous behaviour of soft clays without these deficiencies. A new anisotropic elastic–viscoplastic model is extended from overstress theory of Perzyna. A scaling function based on the experimental results of constant strain-rate oedometer tests is adopted, which allows viscoplastic strain-rate occurring whether the stress state is inside or outside of the yielding surface. The inherent and induced anisotropy is modelled using the formulations of yield surface with kinematic hardening and rotation (S-CLAY1). The parameter determination is straightforward and no additional experimental test is needed, compared to the Modified Cam Clay model. Parameters determined from two types of tests (i.e., the constant strain-rate oedometer test and the 24 h standard oedometer test) are examined. Experimental verifications are carried out using the constant strain-rate and creep tests on St. Herblain clay. All comparisons between predicted and measured results demonstrate that the proposed model can successfully reproduce the anisotropic and viscous behaviours of natural soft clays under different loading conditions.     

Cohesive–frictional interface constitutive model

In the framework of numerical analysis of joined bodies, the present paper is devoted to the constitutive modeling, via an interface kinematic formulation, of mechanical behaviour of internal adhesive layers. The proposed interface constitutive model couples a cohesive behaviour, based on the damage mechanics theory, with a frictional one, defined in a non-associative plasticity framework. Namely, the interface formulation follows the transition of the adhesive material from the sound elastic condition to the fully cracked one. This formulation is able to model, by means of a specific interpretation of the damage variable and in a relevant mathematical setting, the interface intermediate mechanical properties, during the microcracks spreading process up to the discontinuity surface formation (macrocrack). The constitutive modeling is performed in fully compliance with the thermodynamic principles, in order to ensure the thermodynamic consistency requirement. In the present work, various monotonic and cyclic loading conditions are examined in order to show the main features of the constitutive formulation as well as several significant differences with respect to other existing models. Computational efficiency of the interface constitutive model is tested in a numerical application by FEM resolution strategy approach.     

Orthotropic elastic–plastic material model for paper materials

Paper and paperboard generally exhibit anisotropic and non-linear mechanical material behaviour. In this work, the development of an orthotropic elastic–plastic constitutive model, suitable for modelling of the material behaviour of paper is presented. The anisotropic material behaviour is introduced into the model by orthotropic elasticity and an isotropic plasticity equivalent transformation tensor. A parabolic stress–strain relation is adopted to describe the hardening of the material. The experimental and numerical procedures for evaluation of the required material parameters for the model are described. Uniaxial tensile testing in three different inplane material directions provides the calibration of the material parameters under plane stress conditions. The numerical implementation of the material model is presented and the model is shown to perform well in agreement with experimentally observed mechanical behaviour of paper.     

A finite-strain model for anisotropic viscoplastic porous media: II – Applications

In Part I of this work, we have proposed a new model based on the “second-order” nonlinear homogenization method for determining the effective response and microstructure evolution in viscoplastic porous media with aligned ellipsoidal voids subjected to general loading conditions. In this second part, the new model is used to analyze the instantaneous effective behavior and microstructure evolution in porous media for several representative loading conditions and microstructural configurations. First, we study the effect of the shape and orientation of the voids on the overall instantaneous response of a porous medium that is subjected to principal loading conditions. Secondly, we study the problem of microstructure evolution under axisymmetric and simple shear loading conditions for initially spherical voids in an attempt to validate the present model by comparison with existing numerical and approximate results in the literature. Finally, we study the possible development of macroscopic instabilities for the special case of ideally-plastic solids subjected to plane-strain loading conditions. The results, reported in this paper, suggest that the present model improves dramatically on the earlier “variational” estimates, in particular, because it generates much more accurate results for high triaxiality loading conditions.     

Modelling cell wall growth using a fibre-reinforced hyperelastic–viscoplastic constitutive law

A fibre-reinforced hyperelastic–viscoplastic model using a finite strain Finite Element (FE) analysis is presented to study the expansive growth of cell walls. Based on the connections between biological concepts and plasticity theory, e.g. wall-loosening and plastic yield, wall-stiffening and plastic hardening, the modelling of cell wall growth is established within a framework of anisotropic viscoplasticity aiming to represent the corresponding biology-controlled behaviour of a cell wall. In order to model in vivo growth, special attention is paid to the differences between a living cell and an isolated wall. The proposed hyperelastic–viscoplastic theory provides a unique framework to clarify the interplay between cellulose microfibrils and cell wall matrix and how this interplay regulates sustainable growth in a particular direction while maintaining the mechanical strength of the cell walls by new material deposition. Moreover, the effect of temperature is taken into account. A numerical scheme is suggested and FE case studies are presented and compared with experimental data.     

A thermodynamically consistent large deformation elastic–viscoplastic model with directional tensile failure

The main objective of this paper is to develop a continuum model for directional tensile failure that can simulate weakening and void formation due to tensile failure. Directionality in the model allows simulation of weakening to tension applied in one direction, without weakening to subsequent tension applied in perpendicular directions. The model is developed within the context of a properly invariant non-linear thermomechanical theory. Specifically, it is shown how the model can be combined with general constitutive equations for porous compaction and dilation, as well as viscoplasticity. The thermoelastic response is hyperelastic, with the stress being determined by derivatives of the Helmholtz free energy, and the material is considered to be elastically isotropic. In particular, it is assumed that the rate of inelasticity due to tensile failure is coaxial with the tensor measure of elastic deformation (and hence stress). This causes the rate of dissipation to take a particularly simple form which can be shown to satisfy the second law of thermodynamics. A numerical procedure for integrating these evolution equations is proposed and a number of examples are considered to explore the response of the model to different loading histories.     

Thermodynamic model formulation for viscoplastic solids as general equations for non-equilibrium reversible–irreversible coupling

Thermodynamic models for viscoplastic solids are often formulated in the context of continuum thermodynamics and the dissipation principle. The purpose of the current work is to show that models for such material behavior can also be formulated in the form of a General Equation for Non-Equilibrium Reversible–Irreversible Coupling (GENERIC), see, e.g., Grmela and Öttinger (Phys Rev E, 56:6620–6632, 1997), Öttinger and Grmela (Phys Rev E, 56:6633–6655, 1997), Grmela (J Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech, 165:980–986, 2010). A GENERIC combines Hamiltonian-dynamics-based modeling of time-reversible processes with Onsager–Casimir-based modeling of time-irreversible processes. The result is a model for the approach of non-equilibrium systems to thermodynamic equilibrium. Originally developed to model complex fluids, it has recently been applied to anisotropic inelastic solids in Eulerian (Hütter and Tervoort, in J Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech, 152:45–52, 2008; Hütter and Tervoort, in J Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech, 152:53–65, 2008; Hütter and Tervoort, in Adv Appl Mech, 42:254–317, 2008) and Lagrangian (Hütter and Svendsen, in J Elast 104:357–368, 2011) settings, as well as to damage mechanics. For simplicity, attention is focused in the current work on the case of thermoelastic viscoplasticity. Central to this formulation is a GENERIC-based form for the viscoplastic flow rule. A detailed comparison with the formulation based on continuum thermodynamics and the dissipation principle is given.     

Existence and time-discretization for the finite-strain Souza–Auricchio constitutive model for shape-memory alloys

We prove the global existence of solutions for a shape-memory alloys constitutive model at finite strains. The model has been presented in Evangelista et al. (Int J Numer Methods Eng 81(6):761–785, 2010) and corresponds to a suitable finite-strain version of the celebrated Souza–Auricchio model for SMAs (Auricchio and Petrini in Int J Numer Methods Eng 55:1255–1284, 2002; Souza et al. in J Mech A Solids 17:789–806, 1998). We reformulate the model in purely variational fashion under the form of a rate-independent process. Existence of suitably weak (energetic) solutions to the model is obtained by passing to the limit within a constructive time-discretization procedure.     

A thermomechanical constitutive model for cemented granular materials with quantifiable internal variables. Part II – Validation and localization analysis

We study the mechanical failure of cemented granular materials (e.g., sandstones) using a constitutive model based on breakage mechanics for grain crushing and damage mechanics for cement fracture. The theoretical aspects of this model are presented in Part I: Tengattini et al. (2014), A thermomechanical constitutive model for cemented granular materials with quantifiable internal variables, Part I – Theory (Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 10.1016/j.jmps.2014.05.021). In this Part II we investigate the constitutive and structural responses of cemented granular materials through analyses of Boundary Value Problems (BVPs).The multiple failure mechanisms captured by the proposed model enable the behavior of cemented granular rocks to be well reproduced for a wide range of confining pressures. Furthermore, through comparison of the model predictions and experimental data, the micromechanical basis of the model provides improved understanding of failure mechanisms of cemented granular materials. In particular, we show that grain crushing is the predominant inelastic deformation mechanism under high pressures while cement failure is the relevant mechanism at low pressures. Over an intermediate pressure regime a mixed mode of failure mechanisms is observed. Furthermore, the micromechanical roots of the model allow the effects on localized deformation modes of various initial microstructures to be studied. The results obtained from both the constitutive responses and BVP solutions indicate that the proposed approach and model provide a promising basis for future theoretical studies on cemented granular materials.     

A micromechanics-based strain gradient damage model for fracture prediction of brittle materials – Part I: Homogenization methodology and constitutive relations

In this paper, we first describe a homogenization methodology with the aim of establishing strain gradient constitutive relations for heterogeneous materials. The methodology presented in this work includes two main steps. The first one is the construction of the average strain-energy density for a well-chosen RVE by using a homogenization technique. The second one is the transformation of the obtained average strain-energy density to that for the continuum. An important characteristic of this method is its self-consistency with respect to the choice of the RVE: the strain gradient constitutive law built by using the present method is independent of the size and the form of the RVE. In the frame of this homogenization procedure, we have constructed a strain gradient constitutive relation for a two-dimensional elastic material with many microcracks by adopting the self-consistent scheme. It was shown that the effective behavior of cracked solids depends not only on the crack density but also on the average crack size with which the strain gradient is associated. The proposed constitutive relation provides a starting point for the development of an evolution law of damage including strain gradient effect, which will be presented in the second part of this work.     

A constitutive model accounting for strain ageing effects on work-hardening. Application to a C–Mn steel

One of the most successful models for describing the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect in engineering applications is the Kubin–Estrin–McCormick model (KEMC). In the present work, the influence of dynamic strain ageing on dynamic recovery due to dislocation annihilation is introduced in order to improve the KEMC model. This modification accounts for additional strain hardening rate due to limited dislocation annihilation by the diffusion of solute atoms and dislocation pinning at low strain rate and/or high temperature. The parameters associated with this novel formulation are identified based on tensile tests for a C–Mn steel at seven temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 350 °C. The validity of the model and the improvement compared to existing models are tested using 2D and 3D finite element simulations of the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect in tension.     

A three-invariant cap model with isotropic–kinematic hardening rule and associated plasticity for granular materials

In this paper, a three-invariant cap model is developed for the isotropic–kinematic hardening and associated plasticity of granular materials. The model is based on the concepts of elasticity and plasticity theories together with an associated flow rule and a work hardening law for plastic deformations of granulars. The hardening rule is defined by its decomposition into the isotropic and kinematic material functions. The constitutive elasto-plastic matrix and its components are derived by using the definition of yield surface, material functions and non-linear elastic behavior, as function of hardening parameters. The model assessment and procedure for determination of material parameters are described. Finally, the applicability of proposed plasticity model is demonstrated in numerical simulation of several triaxial and confining pressure tests on different granular materials, including: wheat, rape, synthetic granulate and sand.     

Homogenization of elastic–viscoplastic heterogeneous materials: Self-consistent and Mori-Tanaka schemes

This paper deals with the prediction of the macroscopic behavior of a multiphase elastic–viscoplastic material. The proposed homogenization schemes are based on an interaction law postulated by Molinari et al. [Molinari, A., Ahzi, S., Kouddane, R. 1997. On the self-consistent modelling of elastic–plastic behavior of polycrystals. Mech. Mater., 26, 43–62]. Self-consistent schemes are developed to describe the behavior of disordered aggregates. The Mori-Tanaka approach is used to capture the behavior of composite materials, where one phase can be clearly identified as the matrix. The proposed schemes are developed within a general framework where compressible elasticity and anisotropy of the materials are taken into account. Inclusions can have various shapes and orientations. Illustrations of the homogenization procedure are given for a two-phase composite materials. Comparisons between results of the literature and predictions based on the interaction law are performed and have demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed homogenization schemes.     

New integral formulation and self-consistent modeling of elastic–viscoplastic heterogeneous materials

Predicting the overall behavior of heterogeneous materials, from their local properties at the scale of heterogeneities, represents a critical step in the design and modeling of new materials. Within this framework, an internal variables approach for scale transition problem in elastic–viscoplastic case is introduced. The proposed micromechanical model is based on establishing a new system of field equations from which two Navier’s equations are obtained. Combining these equations leads to a single integral equation which contains, on the one hand, modified Green operators associated with elastic and viscoplastic reference homogeneous media, and secondly, elastic and viscoplastic fluctuations. This new integral equation is thus adapted to self-consistent scale transition methods. By using the self-consistent approximation we obtain the concentration law and the overall elastic–viscoplastic behavior of the material. The model is first applied to the case of two-phase materials with isotropic, linear and compressible viscoelastic properties. Results for elastic–viscoplastic two-phase materials are also presented and compared with exact results and variational methods.     

A void–crack nucleation model for ductile metals

A phenomenological void–crack nucleation model for ductile metals with secondphases is described which is motivated from fracture mechanics and microscale physicalobservations. The void–crack nucleation model is a function of the fracture toughness of theaggregate material, length scale parameter (taken to be the average size of the second phaseparticles in the examples shown in this writing) , the volume fraction of the second phase, strainlevel, and stress state. These parameters are varied to explore their effects upon the nucleationand damage rates. Examples of correlating the void–crack nucleation model to tension data in theliterature illustrate the utility of the model for several ductile metals. Furthermore, compression,tension, and torsion experiments on a cast Al–Si–Mg alloy were conducted to determinevoid–crack nucleation rates under different loading conditions. The nucleation model was thencorrelated to the cast Al–Si–Mg data as well.     

A phase-field model for quasi-incompressible solid–liquid transitions

According to a unified thermodynamic scheme, we derive the general kinetic equation ruling the phase-field evolution in a binary quasi-incompressible mixture for both transition and separation phenomena. When diffusion effects are negligible in comparison with source and production terms, a solid–liquid phase transition induced by temperature and pressure variations is obtained. In particular, we recover the explicit expression of the liquid–pressure curve separating the solid from the liquid stability regions in the pressure–temperature plane. Consistently with physical evidence, its slope is positive (negative) for substances which compress (expand) during the freezing process.