A high-performance element for the analysis of 2D elastoplastic continua

The paper presents a four node element for the analysis of 2D continua described by elastic–perfectly plastic von Mises laws. Its formulation is based on the assumed stress approach which has been widely tested in the elastic field. The elastoplastic formulation of the element is obtained by enriching its variational basis with the weak enforcement of the plastic loading/unloading conditions. In this way the elastoplastic problem is formulated with respect to the stress parameters of the element consistently with the weak statement of the compatibility condition.