Continuation Newton Methods with Applications to Plasticity

This contribution is focused on severely nonlinear systems of equations with nonsmooth operators. A continuation Newton method with a smoothing operator is suggested and its convergence analyzed. Then the method is applied to elasto-plasticity with hardening. Finally, another continuation method convenient for an elastic-perfectly plastic problem is introduced and used for finding the so-called limit load. Dedication: This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Owe Axelsson. The presented results arise from joint work with Owe.