On the activity of the S. P. Timoshenko institute of mechanics in 1991–2011

This paper, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine (1991–2011), analyzes the activity of the S. P. Timoshenko Institute of Mechanics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in 1991–2011. The major scientific achievements and their evaluation by the world’s scientific community are briefly reported. The scientific staff and training activity of the Institute are discussed. New books (m?n?graphs, textbooks) and publications in scientific journals are mentioned. It is shown that the scientists of the Institute participate in the establishment of the scientific information environment     

Comments on “Dynamics of the general Lorenz family” by Y. Liu and W. Pang

A paper, “Dynamics of the general Lorenz family,” was published in the journal Nonlinear Dynamics. The authors investigate the general Lorenz family $\dot{x} = a(y-x)$ , $\dot{y} = dx + cy - xz$ , $\dot{z} = -bz + xy $ , considering that it contains four independent parameters. However, we show that, generically (for c≠0), this family is equivalent to the Lorenz system and, thus, the results they provide for the general Lorenz family are easily obtained from the corresponding results on the Lorenz system. Moreover, in the case c=0, it is sufficient to consider a two-parameter system.     

Solutions of the Dirac–Fock Equations and the Energy of the Electron-Positron Field

We consider atoms with closed shells, i.e. the electron number N is 2, 8, 10,..., and weak electron-electron interaction. Then there exists a unique solution γ of the Dirac–Fock equations with the additional property that γ is the orthogonal projector onto the first N positive eigenvalues of the Dirac–Fock operator . Moreover, γ minimizes the energy of the relativistic electron-positron field in Hartree–Fock approximation, if the splitting of into electron and positron subspace is chosen self-consistently, i.e. the projection onto the electron-subspace is given by the positive spectral projection of. For fixed electron-nucleus coupling constant g:=α Z we give quantitative estimates on the maximal value of the fine structure constant α for which the existence can be guaranteed.     

Results of studying creep and long-term strength of metals at the Institute of Mechanics at the Lomonosov Moscow State University (To Yu. N. Rabotnov’s Anniversary)

Basic results of experimental and theoretical research of creep processes and long-term strength of metals obtained by researchers of the Institute of Mechanics at the Lomonosov Moscow State University are presented. These results further develop and refine the kinetic theory of creep and long-duration strength proposed by Yu. N. Rabotnov. Some problems arising in formulating various types of kinetic equations and describing experimental data for materials that can be considered as statically homogeneous materials (in studying the process of deformation and rupture of such materials, there is no need to study the evolution of individual cracks) are considered. The main specific features of metal creep models at constant and variable stresses, in uniaxial and complex stress states, and with allowance for one or two damage parameters are described. Criterial and kinetic approaches used to determine long-term strength under conditions of a complex stress state are considered. Methods of modeling the metal behavior in an aggressive medium are described. A possibility of using these models for solving engineering problems is demonstrated.     

Homogenization of the nonlinear Kelvin–Voigt model of viscoelasticity and of the Prager model of plasticity

Denoting by the stress tensor, by the linearized strain tensor, by A the elasticity tensor, and assuming that is a convex potential, the inclusion accounts for nonlinear viscoelasticity, and encompasses both the linear Kelvin–Voigt model of solid-type viscoelasticity and the Prager model of rigid plasticity with linear kinematic strain-hardening. This relation is assumed to represent the constitutive behavior of a space-distributed system, and is here coupled with the dynamical equation. An initial- and boundary-value problem is formulated, and the existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved via classical techniques based on compactness and monotonicity. A composite material is then considered, in which the function and the tensor A rapidly oscillate in space. A two-scale model is derived via Nguetseng’s notion of two-scale convergence. This provides a detailed account of the mesoscopic state of the system. Any dependence on the fine-scale variable is then eliminated, and the existence of a solution of a new single-scale macroscopic model is proved. The final outcome is at variance with the nonlinear extension of the generalized Kelvin–Voigt model, which is based on an apparently unjustified mean-field-type hypothesis.     

The Braginskii model of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability. I. Effects of self-generated magnetic fields and thermal conduction in two dimensions

There exists a substantial disagreement between computer simulation results and high-energy density laboratory experiments of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability [1]. Motivated by the observed discrepancies in morphology and growth rates, we attempt to bring simulations and experiments into better agreement by extending the classic purely hydrodynamic model to include self-generation of magnetic fields and anisotropic thermal conduction.We adopt the Braginskii formulation for transport in hot, dense plasma, implement and verify the additional physics modules, and conduct a computational study of a single-mode RTI in two dimensions with various combinations of the newly implemented modules. We analyze physics effects on the RTI mixing and flow morphology, the effects of mutual physics interactions, and the evolution of magnetic fields.We find that magnetic fields reach levels on the order of 11 MG (plasma β ≈ 9.1 × 10^?2) in the absence of thermal conduction. These fields do not affect the growth of the mixed layer but substantially modify its internal structure on smaller scales. In particular, we observe denting of the RT spike tip and generation of additional higher order modes as a result of these fields. Contrary to interpretation presented in earlier work [2], the additional mode is not generated due to modified anisotropic heat transport effects but due to dynamical effect of self-generated magnetic fields. The overall flow morphology in self-magnetized, non-conducting models is qualitatively different from models with a pre-existing uniform field oriented perpendicular to the interface. This puts the usefulness of simple MHD models for interpreting the evolution of self-magnetizing HED systems with zero-field initial conditions into doubt.The main effects of thermal conduction are a reduction of the RT instability growth rate (by about 20% for conditions considered here) and inhibited mixing on small scales. In this case, the maximum self-generated magnetic fields are weaker (approximately 1.7 MG; plasma β ≈ 49). This is due to reduction of temperature and density gradients due to conduction. These self-generated magnetic fields are of very similar strength compared to magnetic fields observed recently in HED laboratory experiments [3].We find that thermal conduction plays the dominant role in the evolution of the model RTI system considered. It smears out small-scale structure and reduces the RTI growth rate. This may account for the relatively featureless RT spikes seen in experiments, but does not explain mass extensions observed in experiments.Resistivity, related heat source terms and the thermo-electric contribution to the heat flow were not included in the present work. We estimate their impact on RTI as modest and not affecting our main conclusions. These effects will be discussed in detail in the next paper in the series.     

Superfluous Order and the Proper Solution of the Maxwell Equation

In this paper it is proved that Maxwell equation is equivalent to a fourth order equation.Under a certain condition,its general solution is given by     

Opening of a system of cracks—on the mechanism of the cyclic lateral eruption of the St. Helens volcano in 1980

The dynamic behavior of a magma melt filling a slot channel (crack) in a closed explosive hydrodynamic structure is considered. The explosive hydrodynamic structure includes the volcano focal point with a connected vertical channel (conduit) closed by a slug and a system of internal cracks (dikes) near the dome, as well as a crater open into the atmosphere. A two-dimensional model of a slot eruption is constructed with the use of the Iordanskii–Kogarko–van Wijngaarden mathematical model of two-phase media and the kinetics that describes the basic physical processes in a heavy magma saturated by the gas behind the decompression wave front. A numerical scheme is developed for analyzing the influence of the boundary conditions on the conduit walls and scale factors on the melt flow structure, the role of viscosity in static modes, and dynamic formulations with allowance for diffusion processes and increasing (by several orders of magnitude) viscosity. Results of the numerical analysis of the initial stage of cavitation process evolution are discussed.     

In Memory of the Late Prof.Tang Zhao-qian

During his life time the Late Prof. Tang Zhao-qian was the Delegate of the SixthNational People’s Congress, Director of the Affiliated Institute of Engineering Mechanicsof Xi’an Jiaotong University and concurrently Editor-in-chief of“Journal of AppliedMechanics”and one of the members of the Editorial Board of “Applied Mathematics and     

Study of the inertial effect and the nonlinearities of?the?CRONE suspension based on the hydropneumatic technology

In this paper, we emphasize two main effects involved in the CRONE car suspension technology (CRONE: French acronym for Commande Robuste d??Ordre Non Entier). In a first time, we present the influence of the inductive or inertial effect of the pipes that links the different cells of the hydropneumatic car suspension. These components are mainly resistive and capacitive devices. Then, we analyze the nonlinear relations that link the hydraulic power variables (the flow and the pressure) of the hydraulic resistors and the hydropneumatic accumulators and we study the effect of the nonlinear terms on the car suspension response. Our study is based on the gamma RC arrangement developed in Altet et al. (In: Analysis and design of hybrid systems??proceedings of ADHS03, pp. 63?C68. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2003) and Serrier et al. (In: Proceedings of IDETC/CIE 2005: ASME 2005 international design engineering technical conferences and computers and information in engineering conference, Long Beach, CA, USA, 24?C28 September 2005). In a second time, we focus only on the gamma RLC arrangement, introduced in Abi Zeid Daou et al. (Int. J. Electron. 96(12):1207?C1223, 2009). We show whether the parasite effect due to the pipes or the nonlinear RC components affect the system??s response. The simulation results show that neither the inertial effect caused by these parasite pipes of one meter length nor the use of the nonlinear resistors or the accumulators modifies the response of the gamma RC arrangement.     

Correspondence between de Saint-Venant and Boussinesq. 1: Birth of the Shallow–Water Equations

The Shallow–Water Equations (SWEs), also referred to as the de Saint-Venant equations, constitute the current governing mathematical tool for free-surface water flows. These include, e.g., flood flows in rivers and in urban zones, flows across hydraulic structures as dams or wastewater facilities, flows in the environmental fields, glaciology, or meteorology. Despite this attractiveness, the system of two partial differential equations has an exact mathematical solution only for a limited number of problems of practical relevance.This historical work on the SWEs is based on a correspondence between two 19th-century scientists, de Saint-Venant and Boussinesq. Their well-known papers are thus commented from the point of development of their theory; the input of both scientists is evidenced by their writings, and comments of both to each other that led to what is commonly known as the SWEs. Given the age difference of the two of 45 years, the experienced engineer de Saint-Venant, and the mathematician Boussinesq, two eminent researchers, met to discuss not only problems in hydraulics, but in physics generally. In addition, their correspondence embraced also questions in ethics, religion, history of sciences, and personal news.The results of the SWEs cease to hold if streamline curvature effects dominate; this includes breaking waves, solitary and cnoidal waves, or non-linear waves in general. In most other cases, however, the SWEs perfectly apply to typical flows in engineering practice; they are considered the fundamental system of equations describing open channel flows. This work thus provides a background to its birth, including lots of comments as to its improvement, physical meanings, methods of solution, and a discussion of the results. This paper also deals with the steady flow equations, gives a short account on the main persons mentioned in the Correspondence, and provides a summary of further developments of the SWEs until 1920.     

In Memory of the Late Dr.Chan Ho-cheung

One of the invited members of the Editorial Board of Applied Mathematics andMechanics,the Late Dr.Chan Ho-cheung,passed away on Oct.4,1984,in Hong Kong.Inrecognition of his concern and contribution to our periodical,we publish this brief     

Decomposition of the Deformations of a Thin Shell. Asymptotic Behavior of the Green-St Venant’s Strain Tensor

We investigate the behavior of the deformations of a thin shell, whose thickness δ tends to zero, through a decomposition technique of these deformations. The terms of the decomposition of a deformation v are estimated in terms of the L ²-norm of the distance from ∇ v to SO(3). This permits in particular to derive accurate nonlinear Korn’s inequalities for shells (or plates). Then we use this decomposition technique and estimates to give the asymptotic behavior of the Green-St Venant’s strain tensor when the “strain energy” is of order less than δ ^3/2.     

Measurement of thermal stresses in the S.S. “Boulder Victory”

A lack of comprehensive experimental measurements of thermal stresses induced in a ship's hull structure by diurnal temperature changes prompted this study. Its essential purpose was to provide reliable prototype measurements of thermal-stress patterns around a complete transverse section of a ship. These results are compared with stresses computed by the theory of simple beams under arbitrary temperature distributions across their section. Bridge-type SR-4 strain-gage assemblies were developed for attachment directly to the structure. A variety of temperature conditions were observed and corresponding strain measurements taken. The results are consistent and give a reliable picture of thermal-stress conditions in a ship. They also verify the prediction of thermal stresses afforded by the simple-beam theory.     

On the Ellipticity of the Middle Surface of a Shell and its Application to the Asymptotic Analysis of ‘Membrane’ Shells

We consider a surface S = (), where ² is a bounded, connected, open set with a smooth boundary and : ³ is a smooth map; let () denote the components of the two-dimensional linearized strain tensor of S and let 0 with length 0 > 0. We assume the the norm ,|| ()||0, in the space V0() = { H¹() × H¹() × L²(); = 0 on 0 } is equivalent to the usual product norm on this space. We then establish that this assumption implies that the surface S is uniformly elliptic and that we necessarily have 0 = .     

Continuity and Invariance of the Sacker–Sell Spectrum

The Sacker–Sell (also called dichotomy or dynamical) spectrum \(\varSigma \) is a fundamental concept in the geometric, as well as for a developing bifurcation theory of nonautonomous dynamical systems. In general, it behaves merely upper-semicontinuously and a perturbation theory is therefore delicate. This paper explores an operator-theoretical approach to obtain invariance and continuity conditions for both \(\varSigma \) and its dynamically relevant subsets. Our criteria allow to avoid nonautonomous bifurcations due to collapsing spectral intervals and justify numerical approximation schemes for \(\varSigma \).     

A Brief Account of G.D.Birkhoff’s Problem in the Problem of Three Bodies

The present article gives a historical survery of G.D.Birkhoff’s seventh problem which is an inquiry about the topological structure of the set of definition of the reduced differential equations of motion.Recent advances in the problem and their meaning have been briefly indicated.The classical 3-body problem concerns how the three particles should move under their mutual Newtonian attraction.By a particle we mean a goometrical point endorsed with a constant positive number m which is called mass.Expressed mathematically,the problem appears as to solving of the following system of differential equations: