Issues on the constitutive formulation at large elastoplastic deformations. I: Kinematics (Q1092714)

The kinematics at large elastoplastic deformations are analyzed within the framework of a general macroscopic constitutive theory with tensorial structure variables. The key concept is the distinction between the kinematics of the continuum and its underlying substructure. The proper definition of physically plausible corotational and codeformational rates for the kinematical and state variables, shows the equivalence of the effect that the choice of an unstressed configuration has, on the transformation of these variables and their rates under superposed rigid body rotations. Along these lines, issues debated in the past are given definitive answers, and comparisons of different approaches are presented.