Geometry method for localization analysis in gradient-dependent J2 plasticity

Abstract

In this work the geometrical method for the assessment of discontinuous bifurcation conditions is extended to encompass gradient-dependent plasticity. To this end, the gradient-dependent localization condition is cast in the form of an elliptical envelope condition in the coordinates of Mohr. The results in this work demonstrate the capability of thermodynamically consistent gradient-dependent elastoplastic model formulations to suppress the localized failure modes of the classical plasticity that take place when the hardening/softening modulus H equals the critical value for localization Hc, provide the characteristic length l remains positive.