One-Dimensional Failure Modes for Bodies with Non-convex Plastic Energies

In this paper, a complete picture of the different plastic failure modes that can be predicted by the strain gradient plasticity model proposed in Del Piero et al. (J. Mech. Mater. Struct. 8:109–151, 2013) is drawn. The evolution problem of the elasto-plastic strain is formulated in Del Piero et al. (J. Mech. Mater. Struct. 8:109–151, 2013) as an incremental minimization problem acting on an energy functional which includes a local plastic term and a non-local gradient contribution. Here, an approximate analytical solution of the evolution problem is determined in the one-dimensional case of a tensile bar. Different solutions are found describing specific plastic strain processes, and correlations between the different evolution modes and the convexity/concavity properties of the plastic energy density are established.

The variety of solutions demonstrates the large versatility of the model in describing many failure mechanisms, ranging from brittle to ductile. Indeed, for a convex plastic energy, the plastic strain diffuses in the body, while, for a concave plastic energy, it localizes in regions whose amplitude depends on the internal length parameter included into the non-local energy term, and, depending on the convexity properties of the first derivative of the plastic energy, the localization band expands or contracts. Complex failure processes combining different modes can be reproduced by assuming plastic energy functionals with specific convex and concave branches.

The quasi-brittle failure of geomaterials in simple tension tests was reproduced by assuming a convex-concave plastic energy, and the accuracy of the analytical predictions was checked by comparing them with the numerical results of finite element simulations.