Solution of the plane stress problems of strain-hardening materials described by power law using the complex pseudo-stress function (Q1192892)

The authors construct a method of analysis of plane stress, power-law plasticity that essentially converts the problem to the type encountered in classical linear elasticity, a la Muskhelishvili. The method involves conversion of the basic mathematical equations to a biharmonic one. This is achieved by introducing a complex pseudo-stress function. As an example, they consider the problem of analysis of stress around a hole in a plate under tension. The material is assumed to obey a power-law strain hardening constitutive relation. Comparison is made to a solution obtained by a perturbation method.