Changes in the Stress–Strain States of Subsurface Layers of Steel During Loading

As a result of investigations of compressive deformation of steel specimens using a Vic-3D optical system it is found out that the regions of local deformations along two mutually perpendicular directions possess different character near the butt ends of the specimen in compression. It is underlined that the values of strains along these directions are also different. In the central part of the specimen, an oval region is formed with varied patterns of microstrain distribution. The transition from the stage of elastic strain (Region I in the stress–strain curve σ = f(ɛ)) to plastic deformation is accompanied by a transition from the chaotic diversified distribution of the spatial structural elements into long bands with a characteristic distribution pattern on the specimen surface: along the macrobands of plastic deformation from the corners and side faces of the specimen towards its center. Starting from Stage 1 and to the middle of Stage IV, the key role in the strain evolution on the surface belongs to the macrobands of localized plastic flow. At the end of Stage IV, the macrobands of plastic flow degenerate. A special focus is made on the fact that the transition from one stage to the other results in the changes of the strain field distributions on the specimen surface and is characterized by a different value of the strain hardening coefficient.