Finite expansion of an infinitesimal void in elastic-plastic materials under equitriaxial stress

Sudden growth of an infinitesimal void to a finite size under equitriaxial tension is studied for elastic-plastic materials via a bifurcation approach. The analysis employs the Prandtl-Reuss model with finite deformation taken into account, for both strain-hardening and perfectly plastic solids. Expressions for critical stress and strain levels for finite void growth, namely, cavitation limits, are obtained in the form of integrals involving material parameters and hardening characteristics. Numerical results for the critical values and post-cavitation behavior are demonstrated for power-law hardening elastic-plastic materials, and the influence of hardening exponents as well as elastic compliance is discussed in detail.