Abstract: On the assumption that the yield criterion of orthotropic materials is isomorphic with Huber-Mises criterion of isotropic materials, we put forward a dimensionless stress yield criterion, and obtained the associated plastic flow law. Using experimental stress-strain curves in various simple stress states, generalized effective stress-strain formulae may be derived correspondingly in various forms.

Key words: boundary value problem, critical point, invariant sets, retracting property