On the Decomposition of Deformation Into Elastic-Plastic Parts

Abstract

This paper analyzes the decomposition of finite deformation into elastic and plastic parts. The analysis argues that Lee’s multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient is not the real separation of the total deformation into elastic and plastic parts and that the Green strain cannot be decomposed into elastic and plastic parts. The paper also analyzes the decomposition of the velocity gradient and presents an exact elastic-plastic decomposition of deformation rate.