On the elastic modulus degradation in continuum damage mechanics

To measure accurately the elastic modulus of a metal, E, can be a difficult task when a specimen undergoes plastic strains. Moreover, some failure cri teria, such as those associated with Continuum Damage Mechanics, require th e change of elastic modulus with strain to define a measure of damage, D, i n a material or structure. Thus, it is important to assess the possible geo metrical influence of a specimen on the measurement of the elastic modulus at different deformation levels. It is shown in this article, with the aid of a numerical simulation, that any plastic strains induce important geomet rical effects in the evaluation of E, which have a significant influence on the evaluation of the scalar damage parameter, D. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.