Dynamics of shear-transformation zones in amorphous plasticity: non-linear theory at low temperatures

TL;DR

This paper develops a generalized, energy-consistent non-linear theory for shear-transformation zones in amorphous solids, accounting for arbitrary orientations and providing continuum equations for plastic deformation at low temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent, generalized STZ theory that includes spatial orientations and discusses energy balance in continuum elasto-plastic models.

Findings

Derivation of a self-consistent STZ theory incorporating energy considerations.

Generalization of the theory to include arbitrary STZ orientations.

Discussion of continuum equations and energy balance in amorphous plasticity.

Abstract

We use considerations of energy balance and dissipation to derive a self-consistent version of the shear-transformation-zone (STZ) theory of plastic deformation in amorphous solids. The theory is generalized to include arbitrary spatial orientations of STZs. Continuum equations for elasto-plastic material and their energy balance properties are discussed.