Element Free Galerkin Method (EFGM) based on pseudo-elastic analysis is presented for the determination of inelastic solutions. In the proposed method a linear elastic analysis, using moving least square approximating function, is carried out for the determination of stress field of material non-linear problems using material parameters as field variables. Hencky's total deformation theory is used to define effective elastic material parameters, which are treated as spatial field variables and

more »

... onsidered to be functions of equilibrium stress state and material properties. These effective material parameters are obtained in an iterative manner based on strain controlled projection method and total energy balance Neuber's rule, using experimental uniaxial tension test curve. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated using a problem of cylindrical vessel subjected to internal pressure and shear loads. Three different material models are considered for the problem: elastic-perfectly plastic, linear strain hardening type and nonlinear behavior obeying Ramberg-Osgood model. Obtained results for all the cases are compared with standard nonlinear finite element results and are found to be in good agreement.