Continuum mesoscale theory inspired by plasticity

J. P. Sethna , M. Rauscher , J. -P. Bouchaud (1)

1 SPEC - UMR3680 - Service de physique de l'état condensé

We present a simple mesoscale field theory inspired by rate-independent plasticity that reflects the symmetry of the deformation process. We parameterize the plastic deformation by a scalar field which evolves with loading. The evolution equation for that field has the form of a Hamilton-Jacobi equation which gives rise to cusp-singularity formation. These cusps introduce irreversibilities analogous to those seen in plastic deformation of real materials: we observe a yield stress, work hardening, reversibility under unloading, and cell boundary formation.

Domaines: Autre [cond-mat.other]

J. P. Sethna, M. Rauscher, J. -P. Bouchaud. Continuum mesoscale theory inspired by plasticity. EPL - Europhysics Letters, 2002, 65, pp.665-670. ⟨hal-00117555⟩