A note on a bifurcation problem in finite plasticity related to void nucleation (Q1089169)

In this paper, a bifurcation problem for a solid sphere subjected to a monotonically increasing, radial, tensile, dead load p at its outer boundary is examined. The material is assumed to obey a finite strain version of \(J_ 2\)-flow theory. One solution to this problem, for all values of p, corresponds to a homogeneous state. However, for a certain critical range of p, there is in addition, a second possible configuration, this one involving an internal spherical cavity. The classical infinitesimal strain theory of plasticity does not exhibit such a bifurcation.