Large viscoplastic deformations of shells. Theory and finite element formulation (Q1271602)

The authors discuss a general shell theory for large elastoviscoplastic deformations. They contribute essentially to this subject. The paper is based on (1) a 7-parameter shell model allowing for a linear distribution of the transversal normal strains over the thickness; (2) the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in elastic and inelastic parts; (3) a modified version of the Bodner/Partom constitutive equations for the viscoplastic part, and (4) a linear material law with respect to a logarithmic strain measure and the corresponding stress tensor for the elastic part. The authors succeed in deriving the algorithmic tangent operator in closed form. Then they present a finite element formulation with independent displacement and enhanced strain fields, together with some illustrative numerical examples (cylindrical and hemispherical shells). There are some typographical errors.