Approximate kinematical relations in plasticity

Abstract Within the framework of finite plasticity, it is shown how a number of kinematical approximations can be systematically derived from the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. Particular attention is devoted to two types of approximate theories: (a) those in which elastic deformations are of a different order of magnitude than plastic deformations; and (b) those in which rotations are of a different order of magnitude than strains.