A multidimensional anisotropic strength criterion based on Kelvin modes

A new theory for the prediction of multiaxial strength of anistropic elasto plastic materials is proposed. The resulting failure envelope, in a multidi mensional stress space, is piecewise smooth. Each facet of the envelope is expected to represent the locus of failure data by a particular anisotropic elastic deformation mode called a Kelvin mode. It is shown that the Kelvin mode theory alone provides an incomplete description of the failure of som e materials, but that this weakness can be addressed by the introduction of a set of complementary modes. A revised theory which combines both Kelvin and complementary modes is developed and illustrated by an applied example. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.