A finite element method for plane strain deformations of incompressible solids

Abstract A finite element method for incompressible deformation is formulated from the virtual work equation based on deviatoric quantities. Particular emphasis is given to nonlinear material behavior. The incompressibility constraint is imposed on the admissible displacement field by direct elimination of nodal displacements. The resulting stiffness matrix is symmetric and positive definite. Once a convergent solution for the displacement is obtained, the hydrostatic stress is determined from the principle of virtual work. A variety of illustrative examples are presented. The efficiency, economy and limitations of the method are discussed.