A finite strain kinematic hardening constitutive model based on Hencky strain: General framework, solution algorithm and application to shape memory alloys

The logarithmic or Hencky strain measure is a favored measure of strain due to its remarkable properties in large deformation problems. Compared with other strain measures, e.g., the commonly used Green-Lagrange measure, logarithmic strain is a more physical measure of strain. In this paper, we present a Hencky-based phenomenological finite strain kinematic hardening, non-associated constitutive model, developed within the framework of irreversible thermodynamics with internal variables. The derivation is based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into elastic and inelastic parts, and on the use of the isotropic property of the Helmholtz strain energy function. We also use the fact that the corotational rate of the Eulerian Hencky strain associated with the so-called logarithmic spin is equal to the strain rate tensor (symmetric part of the velocity gradient tensor). Satisfying the second law of thermodynamics in the Clausius-Duhem inequality form, we derive a thermodynamically-consistent constitutive model in a Lagrangian form. In comparison with the available finite strain models in which the unsymmetric Mandel stress appears in the equations, the proposed constitutive model includes only symmetric variables. Introducing a logarithmic mapping, we also present an appropriate form of the proposed constitutive equations in the time-discrete frame. We then apply the developed constitutive model to shape memory alloys and propose a well-defined, non-singular definition for model variables. In addition, we present a nucleation-completion condition in constructing the solution algorithm. We finally solve several boundary value problems to demonstrate the proposed model features as well as the numerical counterpart capabilities.     

On a representation of an elastic potential in A. A. Il’yushin’s generalized strain space

For elastic isotropic materials under finite strains, we consider an elastic potential in the form of a function of invariants of the Hencky logarithmic strain measure. For such a potential, we propose a representation in A. A. Il’yushin’s generalized strain space. This representation is used to construct an approximation to the elastic potential for incompressiblematerials; this approximation permits exactly describing the stress-strain, compression, and pure shear diagrams.     

Incorporation of yield surface distortion in finite deformation constitutive modeling of rigid-plastic hardening materials based on the Hencky logarithmic strain

In this paper a constitutive model for rigid-plastic hardening materials based on the Hencky logarithmic strain tensor and its corotational rates is introduced. The distortional hardening is incorporated in the model using a distortional yield function. The flow rule of this model relates the corotational rate of the logarithmic strain to the difference of the Cauchy stress and the back stress tensors employing deformation-induced anisotropy tensor. Based on the Armstrong–Fredrick evolution equation the kinematic hardening constitutive equation of the proposed model expresses the corotational rate of the back stress tensor in terms of the same corotational rate of the logarithmic strain. Using logarithmic, Green–Naghdi and Jaumann corotational rates in the proposed constitutive model, the Cauchy and back stress tensors as well as subsequent yield surfaces are determined for rigid-plastic kinematic, isotropic and distortional hardening materials in the simple shear deformation. The ability of the model to properly represent the sign and magnitude of the normal stress in the simple shear deformation as well as the flattening of yield surface at the loading point and its orientation towards the loading direction are investigated. It is shown that among the different cases of using corotational rates and plastic deformation parameters in the constitutive equations, the results of the model based on the logarithmic rate and accumulated logarithmic strain are in good agreement with anticipated response of the simple shear deformation.     

Application of corotational rates of the logarithmic strain in constitutive modeling of hardening materials at finite deformations

In this paper a finite deformation constitutive model for rigid plastic hardening materials based on the logarithmic strain tensor is introduced. The flow rule of this constitutive model relates the corotational rate of the logarithmic strain tensor to the difference of the deviatoric Cauchy stress and the back stress tensors. The evolution equation for the kinematic hardening of this model relates the corotational rate of the back stress tensor to the corotational rate of the logarithmic strain tensor. Using Jaumann, Green–Naghdi, Eulerian and logarithmic corotational rates in the proposed constitutive model, stress–strain responses and subsequent yield surfaces are determined for rigid plastic kinematic and isotropic hardening materials in the simple shear problem at finite deformations.     

Finite viscoplasticity of amorphous glassy polymers in the logarithmic strain space

The paper outlines a new constitutive model and experimental results of rate-dependent finite elastic–plastic behavior of amorphous glassy polymers. In contrast to existing kinematical approaches to finite viscoplasticity of glassy polymers, the formulation proposed is constructed in the logarithmic strain space and related to a six-dimensional plastic metric. Therefore, it a priori avoids difficulties concerning with the uniqueness of a plastic rotation. The constitutive framework consists of three major steps: (i) A geometric pre-processing defines a total and a plastic logarithmic strain measures determined from the current and plastic metrics, respectively. (ii) The constitutive model describes the stresses and the consistent moduli work-conjugate to the logarithmic strain measures in an analogous structure to the geometrically linear theory. (iii) A geometric post-processing maps the stresses and the algorithmic tangent moduli computed in the logarithmic strain space to their nominal, material or spatial counterparts in the finite deformation space. The analogy between the formulation of finite plasticity in the logarithmic strain space and the geometrically linear theory of plasticity makes this framework very attractive, in particular regarding the algorithmic implementation. The flow rule for viscoplastic strains in the logarithmic strain space is adopted from the celebrated double-kink theory. The post-yield kinematic hardening is modeled by different network models. Here, we compare the response of the eight chain model with the newly proposed non-affine micro-sphere model. Apart from the constitutive model, experimental results obtained from both the homogeneous compression and inhomogeneous tension tests on polycarbonate are presented. Besides the load–displacement data acquired from inhomogeneous experiments, quantitative three-dimensional optical measurements of the surface strain fields are carried out. With regard to these experimental data, the excellent predictive quality of the theory proposed is demonstrated by means of representative numerical simulations.     

The appropriate corotational rate, exact formula for the plastic spin and constitutive model for finite elastoplasticity

The exact formulae for the plastic and the elastic spin referred to the deformed configuration are derived, where the plastic spin is a function of the plastic strain rate and the elastic spin a function of the elastic strain rate. With these exact formulae we determine the macroscopic substructure spin that allows us to define the appropriate corotational rate for finite elastoplasticity.Plastic, elastic and substructure spin are considered and simplified for various sub-classes of restricted elastic-plastic strains. It is shown that for the special cases of rigid-plasticity and hypoelasticity the proposed corotational rate is identical with the Green-Naghdi rate, while the ZarembaJaumann rate yields a good approximation for moderately large strains.To compare our exact plastic spin formula with the constitutive assumption for the plastic spin introduced by Dafalias and others, we simplify our result for small elastic-moderate plastic strains and introduce a simplest evolution law for kinematic hardening leading to the Dafalias formula and to an exact determination of its unknown coefficient. It is also shown that contrary to statements in the literature the plastic spin is not zero for vanishing kinematic hardening.For isotropic-elastic material with induced plastic flow undergoing isotropic and kinematic hardening constitutive and evolution laws are proposed. Elastic and plastic Lagrangean and Eulerian logarithmic strain measures are introduced and their material time derivatives and corotational rates, respectively, are considered. Finally, the elastic-plastic tangent operator is derived.The presented theory is implemented in a solution algorithm and numerically applied to the simple shear problem for finite elastic-finite plastic strains as well as for sub-classes of restricted strains. The results are compared with those of the literature and with those obtained by using other corotational rates.     

Elliptic yield cap constitutive modeling for high porosity sandstone

Field and laboratory investigators have observed thin, tabular zones of localized compressional deformation without shear in high porosity sandstone. These ‘compaction bands’ display greatly reduced porosity, and may affect the withdrawal of fluids from reservoirs. Studies addressing band formation as a type of strain localization predict the onset of the bands in a range of constitutive parameters roughly consistent with experiments, but are highly dependent on the constitutive relation used. In particular, the hardening modulus in shear and the slope of the yield surface in a plot of shear stress versus mean compressive stress are critical to localization predictions. Previous yield cap constitutive models employed a single deformation criterion, linking hydrostatic and shear response. In this work, we propose an elliptic yield cap model employing separate inelastic deformation parameters along each axis of the ellipse. The two deformation parameters allow the proposed surface to change in aspect ratio as it deforms, and allow a negative hardening modulus in shear without a negative hydrostatic modulus. Some cases with simplified modeling are shown for illustrative purposes, followed by a comparison with existing models. The proposed model displays similar strain behavior to the other models, but predicts localization under less restrictive conditions.     

Using the logarithmic strain measure for solving torsion problems

The problems of free and constrained torsion of a rod of solid circular cross-section are solved numerically using a tensor linear constitutive relation written in terms of the energy compatible Cauchy stress and Hencky logarithmic strain tensors. The only function used to determine the properties of the isotropic incompressible material of the rod is a power-law function that approximates the shear diagram and corresponds to an elastoplastic material with power-law hardening. The solution obtained shows that, despite the tensorial linearity of the state law, the use of the logarithmic strain measure allows one to describe qualitatively the effect of significant elongation of the rod in free torsion (the Poynting effect) as well as the arising normal longitudinal, radial, and circumferential stresses, whose values are commensurable, at large deformations, with the maximum tangential stresses in the cross-section. Computational dependences of the torsional moment on the angle of twist in free and constrained torsion are obtained. These dependences are found to be significantly different from each other; the limitmoment and the correspondingmaximum angle of twist for free torsion are found to be considerably lower than those for constrained torsion. It follows that the shear strength, which is traditionally calculated from the maximum torsional moment, becomes indeterminate. For constrained torsion, the dependence of the longitudinal compressive force on the angle of twist is obtained.     

Anisotropic Hyperelasticity Based Upon General Strain Measures

This paper presents stress-strain constitutive equations for anisotropic elastic materials. A special attention is given to the logarithmic strain. Assuming a constitutive equation for the specific internal energy the equation governing the Cauchy stress is derived. Mathematical relations presented take a relatively simple form and concern a very wide class of elastic materials. The dependence of third-order elastic constants on the choice of strain measure is shown. The third-order elastic constants measured experimentally in relation to the Green strain are recalculated here for the logarithmic strain. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The issues of the uniqueness and the stability of the homogeneous response in uniaxial tests with gradient damage models

We consider a wide class of gradient damage models which are characterized by two constitutive functions after a normalization of the scalar damage parameter. The evolution problem is formulated following a variational approach based on the principles of irreversibility, stability and energy balance. Applied to a monotonically increasing traction test of a one-dimensional bar, we consider the homogeneous response where both the strain and the damage fields are uniform in space. In the case of a softening behavior, we show that the homogeneous state of the bar at a given time is stable provided that the length of the bar is less than a state dependent critical value and unstable otherwise. However, we also show that bifurcations can appear even if the homogeneous state is stable. All these results are obtained in a closed form. Finally, we propose a practical method to identify the two constitutive functions. This method is based on the measure of the homogeneous response in a situation where this response is stable without possibility of bifurcation, and on a procedure which gives the opportunity to detect its loss of stability. All the theoretical analyses are illustrated by examples.     

Coupled thermoviscoplasticity of glassy polymers in the logarithmic strain space based on the free volume theory

The paper outlines a constitutive model for finite thermo-visco-plastic behavior of amorphous glassy polymers and considers details of its numerical implementation. In contrast to existing kinematical approaches to finite plasticity of glassy polymers, the formulation applies a plastic metric theory based on an additive split of Lagrangian Hencky-type strains into elastic and plastic parts. The analogy between the proposed formulation in the logarithmic strain space and the geometrically linear theory of plasticity, makes this constitutive framework very transparent and attractive with regard to its numerical formulation. The characteristic strain hardening of the model is derived from a polymer network model. We consider the particularly simple eight chain model, but also comment on the recently developed microsphere model. The viscoplastic flow rule in the logarithmic strain space uses structures of the free volume flow theory, which provides a highly predictive modeling capacity at the onset of viscoplastic flow. The integration of this micromechanically motivated approach into a three-dimensional computational model is a key concern of this work. We outline details of the numerical implementation of this model, including elements such as geometric pre- and post-transformations to/from the logarithmic strain space, a thermomechanical operator split algorithm consisting of an isothermal mechanical predictor followed by a heat conduction corrector and finally, the consistent linearization of the local update algorithm for the dissipative variables as well as its relationship to the global tangent operator. The performance of the proposed formulation is demonstrated by means of a spectrum of numerical examples, which we compare with our experimental findings.     

On the stochastic interpretation of gradient-dependent constitutive equations

The paper elaborates on the statistical interpretation of a class of gradient models by resorting to both microscopic and macroscopic considerations. The microscopic stochastic representation of stress and strain fields reflects the heterogeneity inherently present in engineering materials at small scales. A physical argument is advanced to conjecture that stress shows small fluctuations and strong spatial correlations when compared to those of strain; then, a series expansion in the respective constitutive equations renders unimportant stress gradient terms, in contrast to strain gradient terms, which should be retained. Each higher-order strain gradient term is given a physically clear interpretation. The formulation also allows for the underlying microstrain field to be statistically non-stationary, e.g., of fractal character. The paper concludes with a comparison between surface effects predicted by gradient and stochastic formulations.     

Finite thermoelasticity with limiting chain extensibility

Rubber-like materials and soft tissues exhibit a significant stiffening or hardening in their stress-strain curves at large strains. Considerable progress has been made recently in the phenomenological modeling of this effect within the context of isotropic hyperelasticity. In particular, constitutive models reflecting limiting chain extensibility at the molecular level have been used to accurately capture strain-hardening. Here we generalize such models to isotropic thermoelasticity. We also show that specific non-polynomial strain-energies for both hyperelastic and thermoelastic materials can be obtained on using a modification of a systematic scheme of Rivlin and Signorini. The Rivlin-Signorini method was based on approximation of the strain-energy density function by polynomials whereas here we use the more general class of rational functions to approximate the material response functions. We then propose a simple generalization to thermoelasticity of a constitutive model for incompressible hyperelastic materials reflecting limiting chain extensibility due to Gent (Rubber Chem. Technol. 69 (1996) 59-61). For this new thermoelastic constitutive model we investigate the inhomogeneous deformation problem of axial shear of a circular cylindrical tube.     

A Molecular-Statistical Basis for the Gent Constitutive Model of Rubber Elasticity

Molecular constitutive models for rubber based on non-Gaussian statistics generally involve the inverse Langevin function. Such models are widely used since they successfully capture the typical strain-hardening at large strains. Limiting chain extensibility constitutive models have also been developed on using phenomenological continuum mechanics approaches. One such model, the Gent model for incompressible isotropic hyperelastic materials, is particularly simple. The strain-energy density in the Gent model depends only on the first invariant I ₁ of the Cauchy–Green strain tensor, is a simple logarithmic function of I ₁ and involves just two material parameters, the shear modulus μ and a parameter J _m which measures a limiting value for I ₁−3 reflecting limiting chain extensibility. In this note, we show that the Gent phenomenological model is a very accurate approximation to a molecular based stretch averaged full-network model involving the inverse Langevin function. It is shown that the Gent model is closely related to that obtained by using a Padè approximant for this function. The constants μ and J _m in the Gent model are given in terms of microscopic properties. Since the Gent model is remarkably simple, and since analytic closed-form solutions to several benchmark boundary-value problems have been obtained recently on using this model, it is thus an attractive alternative to the comparatively complicated molecular models for incompressible rubber involving the inverse Langevin function. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Roles of plastic spin in shear banding

In this paper, the effects of plastic spin on shear banding and simple shear are examined systematically. Three types of plastic constitutive model with plastic spin are considered: (i) a non-coaxial model in which the direction of the plastic strain rate depends on that of the stress rate; (ii) a strain-softening model based on the J₂ flow theory; and (iii) the pressure-sensitive porous plasticity model. All the constitutive models are formulated in viscoplastic forms and in conjunction with non-local concepts that have been recently focused and discussed. First, behavior in simple shear is examined by numerical analysee with the aforementioned constitutive models. Moreover, some experimental evidences for stress response to simple shear are shown; that is, several large torsion tests of metal tubes and bars are carried out. Next, finite element simulations of shear banding in plane strain tension are performed. A critical effect of plastic spin on shear banding is observed for the noncoaxial model, while an almost negligible effect is observed for the porous model. The identical effects of plastic spin are observed, whether nonlocality exists or not. Finally, we discuss the relationship between the behavior in simple shear and the shear band formation. It is emphasized that this is a critical issue in predicting shear banding in macroscopic grounds.     

Hypo-Elasticity Model Based upon the Logarithmic Stress Rate

Recently these authors have proved [46, 47] that a smooth spin tensor Ω^log can be found such that the stretching tensor D can be exactly written as an objective corotational rate of the Eulerian logarithmic strain measure ln V defined by this spin tensor, and furthermore that in all strain tensor measures only ln V enjoys this favourable property. This spin tensor is called the logarithmic spin and the objective corotational rate of an Eulerian tensor defined by it is called the logarithmic tensor-rate. In this paper, we propose and investigate a hypo-elasticity model based upon the objective corotational rate of the Kirchhoff stress defined by the spin Ω^log, i.e. the logarithmic stress rate. By virtue of the proposed model, we show that the simplest relationship between hypo-elasticity and elasticity can be established, and accordingly that Bernstein's integrability theorem relating hypo-elasticity to elasticity can be substantially simplified. In particular, we show that the simplest form of the proposed model, i.e. the hypo-elasticity model of grade zero, turns out to be integrable to deliver a linear isotropic relation between the Kirchhoff stress and the Eulerian logarithmic strain ln V, and moreover that this simplest model predicts the phenomenon of the known hypo-elastic yield at simple shear deformation. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In-plane buckling of circular arches and rings with shear deformations

A finite strain formulation is developed for elastic circular arches and rings in which the effects of shear deformations are included. Timoshenko beam hypothesis is adopted for incorporating shear. Finite strains are defined in terms of the normal and shear component of the longitudinal stretch. The constitutive relations for stress and finite strain are based on a hyperelastic constitutive model. Virtual work and equilibrium equations are derived. Closed-form in-plane buckling solutions are developed for circular rings and high arches under hydrostatic pressure. The effects of axial deformation prior to buckling as well as shear deformations are included in the buckling analysis. The formulation developed is compared with solutions in the literature and to the predictions of the finite element package ANSYS. The importance of including the effects of shear deformations for deep arches is investigated.     

Description of anisotropy of isotropic materials caused by plastic strain

Many materials are polycrystalline media or hardened mechanical mixtures of complicated structure. For small elastic strains, they behave as isotropic media. But under stresses exceeding the elastic limit, these materials exhibit effects related to strain anisotropy. The problem of quantitatively estimating this phenomenon still remains open. In the present paper, without any assumptions, we reduce the nonlinear Novozhilov equations to a form typical of the constitutive relations for orthotropic media. We obtain expressions for generalized nonlinear elasticity characteristics by choosing a specific expression for the strain potential. We derive working formulas for calculating the elasticity coefficients in the principal directions and of all coefficients of the transverse strains and shear moduli in the principal planes of elastic symmetry. We describe methods for determining them from the results of extension-compression tests. We also analyze several results of tests published on this subject. We show that the effect related to the anomalous behavior of the transverse strain coefficient, which is observed both under compression and under tension, can be explained completely if the fact that the plastic strain is accompanied with strain anisotropy effects is taken into account.     

Constitutive equations of elastoplastic isotropic materials that allow for the stress mode

The constitutive equations describing the elastoplastic deformation of an isotropic material and taking into account the stress mode are validated against available experimental data. We propose a method for the approximate determination of the base functions appearing in the constitutive equations and relating the first and second invariants of the stress tensors and the linear components of finite strains. The strain components obtained by this method are compared to experimental data