We present a novel approach for using large-amplitude oscillatory shear flow experiments
(LAOS) to determine—in a simple, direct, and robust manner—the mechanical behavior of
materials that possess a microstructure and may exhibit solidlike, liquidlike, viscoelastic,
viscoplastic, and/or thixotropic behavior. As the stress amplitude and frequency are
independently varied, two classes of motion are observed:(i) structure-changing motions,
characterized by a nonsinusoidal response, when the stress amplitude is large enough to …