Correlation between parameters in the microstructural vector theory and Hill's plastic potential

The dissipation inequality provides a useful method for specifying constitutive equations of plastic deformation. There are two main ways to use the dissipation inequality to determine the plastic deformation path: by utilizing a plastic potential with the normality rule, or by not utilizing the plastic potential to determine the plastic flow according to the elastic distortion of the material coordinate axis (microstructural vectors). While both methods satisfy the inequality condition and predict experimental results well, they have been developed separately without discussion on relationship. This study presents a physics-based mathematical discussion on the relative dependence between the two methods of determining plastic flow and their point of connection, using Hill's quadratic plastic potential. For this, the conversion of the distortional length and angle changes in microstructural vectors to deviatoric strain tensor under small elastic deformation conditions is mathematically demonstrated. Using these equations, the rate of inelastic deformation derived from microstructural vectors exhibited a similar form to that derived from Hill's quadratic potential. Moreover, the model parameters of the microstructural vectors can be calibrated using the Hill's function. The plastic flow derived from the microstructural vectors and Hill's function exhibited a remarkably similar trend under the assumption of small elastic deformation, although not identical. The newly defined relationships were implemented numerically and validated through simulations. The parameters of the microstructural vector theory derived from Hill's plastic potential can be utilized in materials science and engineering.