A novel ‘optimal’ exponential‐based integration algorithm for von‐Mises plasticity with linear hardening: Theoretical analysis on yield consistency,accuracy, convergence and numerical investigations

In this communication we propose a new exponential‐based integration algorithm for associative von‐Mises plasticity with linear isotropic and kinematic hardening, which follows the ones presented by the authors in previous papers. In the first part of the work we develop a theoretical analysis on the numerical properties of the developed exponential‐based schemes and, in particular, we address the yield consistency, exactness under proportional loading, accuracy and stability of the methods. In the second part of the contribution, we show a detailed numerical comparison between the new exponential‐based method and two classical radial return map methods, based on backward Euler and midpoint integration rules, respectively. The developed tests include pointwise stress–strain loading histories, iso‐error maps and global boundary value problems. The theoretical and numerical results reveal the optimal properties of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.