Return Mapping Algorithms and Stress Predictors for Failure Analysis in Geomechanics

Two well-known return mapping algorithms, the closest point projection method (CPPM) and the cutting plane algorithm (CPA), have been analyzed in detail in relation to two classical failure problems in geomechanics, namely, bearing capacity and slope stability. The stability and efficiency of the algorithms have been investigated in relation to two types of stiffness operators, namely, the consistent elastoplastic modulus and the continuum elastoplastic modulus, and two types of stresses prediction strategies, namely, path independent (based on stresses at previous step) and path dependent (based on stresses at the previous iteration). The numerical experiments show that CPPM working with a consistent elastoplastic modulus and a path independent strategy gives the best performance. It was also observed, however, that the CPA with a continuum elastoplastic modulus and path dependent strategy was quite stable and efficient. This latter observation has implications for advanced constitutive modeling since CPA with a continuum elastoplastic modulus avoids the need for evaluation of the second derivatives of the plastic potential function, making it easier to deal with complicated yield surfaces.