Constitutive inequalities for isotropic elastic solids under finite strain

Abstract

Abstract Possible restrictions on isotropic constitutive laws for finitely deformed elastic solids are examined from the standpoint of Hill (1968). This introduced the notion of conjugate pairs of stress and strain measures, whereby families of contending inequalities can be generated. A typical member inequality stipulates that the scalar product of the rates of change of certain conjugate variables is positive in all circumstances. Interrelations between the various inequalities are explored, and some statical implications are established. The discussion depends on several ancillary theorems which are apparently new; these have, in addition, an intrinsic interest in the broad field of basic stress—strain analysis.