Strain space formulation of the elasto-plastic theory and its finite element implementation

Abstract this paper systematically presents the research work of the authors in strain space formulation of elasto-plastic theory and its numerical implementation in the context of geotechnical problems. The following aspects are mainly discussed: the advantages of the theory, the relations between stress space and strain space, the generalized yield, constitutive relations in strain space, the strain path and strain path method. The theory has been implemented in a finite element program. Two numerical examples are given which prove that the proposed theory and method are not only simple and convenient but also practical. It opens up a new approach for the application of strain space theory in the geotechnical engineering.