Shear band formation in plane strain

The growth of a single shear band in an infinite block of an incompressible solid undergoing plane strain tension or compression is studied for three material models—nonlinear elasticity, kinematic hardening plasticity and a plasticity theory based on yield surface corner development. The study includes analyses of bifurcation and post-bifurcation behaviour as well as the sensitivity of shear band growth to material imperfections. Depending on their orientation and on details of the material model, shear bands may form gradually with relatively limited localization of strain or they may localize catastrophically with an attendant strong sensitivity to initial imperfections in the form of material inhomogeneity.