Rate-independent processes in viscous solids at small strains

Abstract

The so-called generalized standard solids (of Halphen-Nguyen type) involving also activated typically rate-independent processes such as plasticity, damage, or phase transformations are described as a system of a momentum equilibrium equation and a variational inequality for inelastic evolution of internal parameter variables. Various definitions of solutions are examined, especially from the viewpoint of the ability to combine rate-independent processes and other rate-dependent phenomena, as viscosity or also inertia. If those rate-dependent phenomena are suppressed, then the system becomes fully rate-independent. Illustrative examples are presented as well. © 2008 John Wiley.