Constitutive model for strain rates from 10-4 to 106 s-1

We have developed an addition to the Steinberg--Guinan high strain-rate constitutive model that extends its validity to strain rates as low as 10-4 s-1. With this new model, we have successfully reproduced a number of rate-dependent, shock-induced phenomena in tantalum, such as precursor on reshock, precursor decay, and shock smearing. We have also successfully calculated a plate-impact experiment at a loading stress of 230 GPa as well as extensive data for yield strength versus strain rate at room temperature and yield strength versus temperature at a strain rate of 10-4 s-1