An experimental study of inhomogeneous cyclic plastic deformation

A localized inhomogeneous cyclic plastic deformation phenomenon was experim entally investigated in a mild steel. Small strain gages were utilized to c haracterize the local deformation within the gage section and the gross def ormation was measured with an extensometer. Both fully reversed symmetrical loading and asymmetrical loading with a mean stress were used in the cycli c experiments. Plastic deformation was initiated in local areas of the spec imen and it propagated into the whole gate section in the specimen with inc reasing cyclic loading. The local inhomogeneous cyclic deformation was depe ndent on the loading magnitude and evolved with continued cyclic loading.