On Stress-Strain Relations Suitable for Cyclic and Other Loading

Abstract

The analysis and design of pressure vessels and other structures subjected to cyclic loading and occasional large overloads requires stress-strain relations sufficiently simple to be usable with computer programs and yet adequate to describe the essential aspects of the response of the material. One such form with two quite different options is proposed for the time-independent domain which avoids the difficulties of earlier approaches. It has the kinematic hardening attributes needed for reversal of loading, allows for cyclic hardening or softening, gives zero mean stress as the asymptotic response to cyclic straining between fixed limits of strain, and reduces to a J2 stress-hardening form for radial or proportional loading so that it can model both cyclic and other loading to a good first approximation.