About finite element sensitivity analysis of elastoplastic systems at large strains

Influence of a discontinuous nature of the elastoplastic systems response at large strain onto their sensitivity with respect to a design parameter is considered in the paper. It is discussed in the framework of the finite element modelling using the direct differentiation method for the sensitivity response calculation. Elastoplastic behaviour is formulated on the additive approach of the rate of deformation tensor and a hypoelastic characterization of the elastic response. It is shown that the computed sensitivity response of the system’s FE models can experience steep jumps on its overall path. This fact is confirmed by some examples.