A VARIABLE MATERIAL PROPERTY APPROACH FOR SOLVING ELASTIC-PLASTIC PROBLEMS

The linear elastic solution of a boundary value problem is used as a b asis to generate its inelastic solution. The method considers the mate rial parameters as field variables. Their distribution is obtained in an iterative manner using the projection method, the arc-length method , and Nueber's rule. The rate of convergence is compared. The problem of a thick-walled cylinder is considered as an example. The method yie lds the analytical solution in the limiting case if the cylinder is ma de of non-hardening Tresca material and is under internal pressure. Th e paper also presents solutions for a Mises solid whose hardening is d escribed by the Ramberg-Osgood formula. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.