Existence results in dislocation based rate-independent isotropic gradient plasticity with kinematical hardening and plastic spin: The case with symmetric local backstress

In this paper we use convex analysis and variational inequality methods to establish an existence result for a model of infinitesimal rate-independent gradient plasticity with kinematic hardening and plastic spin, in which the local backstress tensor remains symmetric. The model features a defect energy contribution which is quadratic in the dislocation density tensor Curl p, giving rise to nonlocal non-symmetric kinematic hardening. Use is made of a recently established Korn’s type inequality for incompatible tensor fields. The solution space for the non-symmetric plastic distortion is naturally H(Curl) together with suitable tangential boundary conditions on the plastic distortion. Connections to other models are established as well.