A continuous Masing approach for a physically motivated formulation of temperature and strain-rate dependent plasticity

This study proposes a physically motivated continuous Masing-type model able to accurately describe the temperature and strain-rate dependent elastic–plastic behaviour of a low alloy steel. A modified Cauchy formulation for the element yield strain distribution function is presented that describes a continuous elastic–plastic transition on the basis of four physically interpretable and easily determinable parameters. The performance of the model is compared to conventional strain-hardening models as well as to monotonic and loading–unloading experiments. Furthermore, the description of monotonic temperature and strain-rate dependent constitutive behaviour of a bainitic 2CrMoNiWV steam turbine rotor steel is evaluated on the basis of experimental data. The proposed model represents very well the elastic–plastic constitutive behaviour of 2CrMoNiWV and allows for an adequate extrapolation from a restricted experimentally covered regime. It is believed to form a promising basis for the development of plasticity model formulations.

► A new continuous Masing-type model formulation elasto–plasticity is presented. ► Analytical constitutive relationships are derived using four physical parameters. ► Experimental data is well represented with a smooth elastic–plastic transition. ► A model extension describes temperature and strain-rate dependent loading.