Nonlinear Elasticity

Nonlinear elasticity describes how materials deform when subjected to forces, where the relationship between stress (force per area) and strain (deformation) isn't a straight line. Unlike simple elastic materials (like a rubber band), nonlinear elastic materials change their stiffness as they stretch or compress, meaning they don’t follow Hooke’s law exactly. This behavior occurs in many advanced materials and biological tissues, where large or complex deformations result in responses that are more complicated than simple proportionality, requiring sophisticated models to predict their behavior accurately.