A rate-independent constitutive model for transient non-proportional loading (Q1115227)

A comprehensive yet relatively simple rate-independent constitutive model is presented. Most experimental observations such as strain amplitude effect, cross-hardening effect, erasure of memory property, etc., are simulated by the model. It is applicable to arbitrary complex non- proportional loading paths including cyclic loading. The material constants are comparatively few, and the procedure to determine them is outlined. The predictions of the model are compared to various experimental resuls and the agreement is found to be fairly good.