Mean-field modeling of elasto-plastic composites under non-monotonic loading

This work focuses on the applicability of mean-field approaches to predict the effective behavior of composites made of an elasto-plastic matrix reinforced by hard inclusions. General loading conditions (non-monotonic, non-proportional) are considered, which requires a history-dependent scheme. Moreover, a particular attention is paid to the prediction of the stress developed within the inclusions. Recent models including short range particle/matrix interactions and second moments of the stress and strain fields are presented and assessed against direct finite element computation of representative cells containing a random arrangement of inclusions.