A comparative analysis of linear and nonlinear kinematic hardening rules in computational elastoplasticity

In this work a comparative analysis is presented between the linear and the nonlinear kinematic hardening assumptions for material modelling in the elastoplastic regime. For the simulation of typically adopted nonlinear kinematic hardening laws a solution procedure is considered which is able to preserve a quadratic rate of asymptotic convergence. Numerical computations and results are reported which allow to compare for different simulations the suitability of the assumptions of linear versus nonlinear kinematic hardening rules for elastoplastic materials. By considering different types of material properties the reported analysis gives indications on the conditions under which such assumptions can be considered efficacious.