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Yield surface

Geometric representation of material yield

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Through Stress (mechanics), Identity matrix and Cylinder

The yield surface is usually expressed in terms of (and visualized in) a three-dimensional principal stress space (σ1,σ2,σ3), a two- or three-dimensional space spanned by stress invariants (I1,J2,J3) or a version of the three-dimensional Haigh–Westergaard stress space. Thus we may write the equation of the yield surface (that is, the yield function) in the forms:

  • f(σ1,σ2,σ3)=0 where σi are the principal stresses.
  • f(I1,J2,J3)=0 where I1 is the first principal invariant of the Cauchy stress and J2,J3 are the second and third principal invariants of the deviatoric part of the Cauchy stress.
  • f(p,q,r)=0 where p,q are scaled versions of I1 and J2 and r is a function of J2,J3.
  • f(ξ,ρ,θ)=0 where ξ,ρ are scaled versions of I1 and J2, and θ is the stress angle or Lode angle

Invariants used to describe yield surfaces

The first principal invariant (I1) of the Cauchy stress (σ), and the second and third principal invariants (J2,J3) of the deviatoric part (s) of the Cauchy stress are defined as:

I1=Tr(σ)=σ1+σ2+σ3J2=12s:s=16[(σ1−σ2)2+(σ2−σ3)2+(σ3−σ1)2]J3=det(s)=13(s⋅s):s=s1s2s3

where (σ1,σ2,σ3) are the principal values of σ, (s1,s2,s3) are the principal values of s, and

s=σ−I13I

where I is the identity matrix.

A related set of quantities, (p,q,r), are usually used to describe yield surfaces for cohesive frictional materials such as rocks, soils, and ceramics. These are defined as

p=13I1:q=3J2=σeq;r=3(12J3)1/3

where σeq is the equivalent stress. However, the possibility of negative values of J3 and the resulting imaginary r makes the use of these quantities problematic in practice.

Another related set of widely used invariants is (ξ,ρ,θ) which describe a cylindrical coordinate system (the Haigh–Westergaard coordinates). These are defined as:

ξ=13I1=3p;ρ=2J2=23q;cos⁡(3θ)=(rq)3=332J3J23/2

The ξ−ρ plane is also called the Rendulic plane. The angle θ is called stress angle, the value cos⁡(3θ) is sometimes called the Lode parameter and the relation between θ and J2,J3 was first given by Novozhilov V.V. in 1951, see also

The principal stresses and the Haigh–Westergaard coordinates are related by

[σ1σ2σ3]=13[ξξξ]+23ρ[cos⁡θcos⁡(θ−2π3)cos⁡(θ+2π3)]=13[ξξξ]+23ρ[cos⁡θ−sin⁡(π6−θ)−sin⁡(π6+θ)].

A different definition of the Lode angle can also be found in the literature:

sin⁡(3θ)=332J3J23/2

in which case the ordered principal stresses (where σ1≥σ2≥σ3) are related by

[σ1σ2σ3]=13[ξξξ]+ρ2[cos⁡θ−sin⁡θ32sin⁡θ3−sin⁡θ3−cos⁡θ].

Note. It is incorrect (false) information that Chakrabarty did define shear stress mode angle with sin(3Teta). Chakrabarty adopted Lode parameter with opposite sign than it has in the original Lode paper from 1926, see Page 59, formula (3) in the book «Chakrabarty, Jagabanduhu; 2006, Theory of Plasticity: Third edition, Elsevier, Amsterdam.». Actually, Chakrabarty defined shear stress mode angle with -sin(3Teta) just like it did for the first time V.V. Novozhilov in his work from 1951, Novozhilov V.V., «O связи между напряжениями и деформациями в нелинейно упругой среде» (On relations between stresses and strains in non-linear elastic media), Прикладная математика и механика, 1951, p. 183-194; https://pmm.ipmnet.ru/ru/get/1951/15-2/183-194. The first work in which rational arguments and discussion is delivered why it is wise and useful to define shear stress mode angle with sin(.) function, regardless of the sign of the angle theta, is the Ziolkowski’s work «Parametrization of Cauchy Stress Tensor Treated as Autonomous Object Using Isotropy Angle and Skewness Angle» from 2022, https://et.ippt.pan.pl/index.php/et/article/view/2210, where it is elucidated that adopting definition of shear stress mode angle with sin(.) function physically means accepting pure shears as comparison reference states, and it is explained why it is very beneficial.

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