On the mechanics of large inelastic deformations: kinematics and constitutive modeling

Summary In this paper we examine the complexities associated with the kinematics of finite elastoplastic deformations and other issues related to the development of constitutive equations. The decomposition of the total strain and strain rate tensors into elastic and plastic constituents is investigated by considering both a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient and an additive decomposition of the deformation vector field. Physically based definitions for the elastic and plastic strain rate tensors are given and compared with other values found in the literature. Constitutive equations for the plastic flow are derived by considering both a phenomenological-energy approach and a physically motivatedmesomechanical approach based on the double-slip idealization. It is shown that by resorting to the mechanics of the double slip, specific relations for the plastic stretching and plastic spin can be rigorously derived, taking into account the effect of noncoaxiality and material rotation. Finally, the implication of such effects to large deformations is examined in connection with the localization phenomenon.