It is well known that both rate dependent and
gradient-dependent constitutive models introduce internal
length scales in dynamic initial value problems. As a result,
numerical solutions of such initial value problems involving
strain-softening no longer exhibit excessive mesh
dependence. In this paper, the length scales included in a
solid model which exhibits both above mentioned constitutive
behaviours are discussed. The internal length
scales derived from damping effects, which are typical for
the viscoplastic models, and the wave length, obtained
from the critical wave number for which the wave speed is
not imaginary, are used together to give a prediction of the
internal length scale of the combined model. The approach
proposed here for prediction of the internal length scale is
more general than commonly used procedures and permits
to explain phenomena observed in viscoplastic and
gradient dependent models. A one dimensional example is
given to illustrate the theoretical findings