In search of constitutive conditions in isotropic hyperelasticity: polyconvexity versus true-stress-true-strain monotonicity

The polyconvexity of a strain-energy function is nowadays increasingly presented as the ultimate material stability condition for an idealized elastic response. While the mathematical merits of polyconvexity are clearly understood, its mechanical consequences have received less attention. In this contribution we contrast polyconvexity with the recently rediscovered true-stress-true-strain monotonicity (TSTS-M ++ ) condition. By way of explicit examples, we show that neither condition by itself is strong enough to guarantee physically reasonable behavior for ideal isotropic elasticity. In particular, polyconvexity does not imply a monotone trajectory of the Cauchy stress in unconstrained uniaxial extension which TSTS-M ++ ensures. On the other hand, TSTS-M ++ does not impose a monotone Cauchy shear stress response in simple shear which is enforced by Legendre-Hadamard ellipticity and in turn polyconvexity. Both scenarios are proven through the construction of appropriate strain-energy functions. Consequently, a combination of polyconvexity, ensuring Legendre-Hadamard ellipticity, and TSTS-M ++ seems to be a viable solution to Truesdell’s Hauptproblem. However, so far no isotropic strain-energy function has been identified that satisfies both constraints globally at the same time. Although we are unable to deliver a valid solution here, we provide several results that could prove helpful in the construction of such an exceptional strain-energy function. In memory of Miroslav Šilhavý (1949–2025)