Elements of Classical Plasticity Theory

This monograph provides a compact introduction into the classical, i.e. rate-independent, plasticity theory. Starting from the engineering stress-strain diagram, the concept of elastic and elasto-plastic material behavior is introduced, as well as the concept of uniaxial and multiaxial stress states. Continuum mechanical modeling in the elasto-plastic range requires, in regards to the constitutive equation, in addition to the elastic law (e.g. Hooke’s law), a yield condition, a flow rule and a hardening rule. These basic equations are thoroughly introduced and explained for one-dimensional stress states. Considering three-dimensional plasticity, different sets of stress invariants to characterize the stress matrix and the decomposition of the stress matrix in its hydrostatic and deviatoric part are introduced. Furthermore, the concept of the yield condition, flow rule and hardening rule is generalized for multiaxial stress states. Some typical yield conditions are introduced and theirgraphical representation in different stress spaces is discussed in detail. The book concludes with an introduction in the elasto-plastic finite element simulation of mechanical structures. In the context of numerical approximation methods, the so-called predictor-corrector methods are used to integrate the constitutive equations. This is again introduced in detail based on one-dimensional stress states and afterwards generalized to the three-dimensional case. Test your knowledge with questions and answers about the book in the Springer Nature Flashcards app.

Table of Contents:
Introduction.- Theory of One-Dimensional Plasticity.-  Theory of Three-Dimensional Plasticity.-  Elasto-Plastic Finite Element Simulations.

About the Author :
Andreas Öchsner is a Full Professor of Lightweight Design and Structural Simulation at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, Germany. After completing his Dipl.-Ing. degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Stuttgart (1997), he served as a research and teaching assistant at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg from 1997 to 2003 while pursuing his Doctor of Engineering Sciences (Dr.-Ing.) degree. From 2003 to 2006, he was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Cellular Metals Group affiliated with the University of Aveiro, Portugal. He spent seven years (2007–2013) as a Full Professor at the Department of Applied Mechanics, Technical University of Malaysia, where he was also Head of the Advanced Materials and Structure Lab. From 2014 to 2017 he was a Full Professor at the School of Engineering, Griffith University, Australia and Leader of the Mechanical Engineering Program (Head of Discipline and Program Director).