Definition of the yield point in plasticity and its effect on the shape of the yield locus

Abstract

Three different definitions of the yield point have been used in experimental work on the yield locus: proportional limit, proof strain and the ‘yield point’ by backward extrapolation. The theoretical implications of the ‘yield point’ by backward extrapolation are examined in an analysis of the loading and re-loading stress paths. It is shown, in connection with experimental results by Miastkowski and Szczepinski, that the proportional limit found by inspection is in fact a point located by backward extrapolation based on a small section of the stress-strain curve, near the elastic portion of the curve. The effect of different definitions of the yield point on the shape of the yield locus and some considerations for the choice between them are discussed.