Micromorphic approach to gradient plasticity and damage

Abstract

Eringen and Mindlin's original micromorphic continuum model is presented and extended towards finite elastic-plastic deformations. The framework is generalized to any additional kinematic degrees of freedom related to plasticity and/or damage mechanisms. It provides a systematic method to develop size-dependent plasticity and damage models, closely related to phase field approaches, that can be applied to hardening and/or softening material behavior. The regularization power of the method is illustrated in the case of damage in single crystals. Special attention is given to the various possible finite deformation formulations enhancing existing frameworks for finite elastoplasticity and damage.