9622714 Ponte-Castaneda This project will study the evolution of microstructural changes during finite deformations of heterogeneous materials. Internal variables will be used to characterize the current state of the microstructure. These internal variables will be governed by incremental relations. Special attention will be given to shear loadings which frequently are neglected in earlier models. Several problems in the area of metal forming and ductile fracture will be analyzed. These models are expected to be applicable to porous and particle reinforced aluminum. ***