Invariant Properties for Finding Distance in Space of?Elasticity Tensors

Using orthogonal projections, we investigate distance of a given elasticity tensor to classes of elasticity tensors exhibiting particular material symmetries. These projections depend on the orientation of the elasticity tensor; hence the distance is obtained as the minimization of corresponding expressions with respect to the action of the orthogonal group. These expressions are stated in terms of the eigenvalues of both the given tensor and the projected one. The process of minimization is facilitated by the fact that, as we prove, the traces of the corresponding Voigt and dilatation tensors are invariant under these orthogonal projections. For isotropy, cubic symmetry and transverse isotropy, we formulate algorithms to find both the orientation and the eigenvalues of the elasticity tensor endowed with a particular symmetry and closest to the given elasticity tensor.      

Symmetric Representation of Stress and Strain in the Stroh Formalism and Physical Meaning of the Tensors L, S, L(θ) and S(θ)

The Stroh formalism for two-dimensional deformation of an anisotropic elastic material does not give the stress _ij explicitly in a symmetric form. It does not give an explicit expression for the strain _ij at al. Mantic and Paris [1] have recently derived an explicit symmetric representation of stress. We present here a new and elementary derivation that is more straight forward and transparent. The derivation does not require consideration of the surface traction or the normalization of the Stroh eigenvectors. The new derivation also provides an explicit symmetric representation of strain. Moreover, it allows us to deduce two of the three Barnett–Lothe tensors L, S [2] and the associated tensors L ( ), S ( ) [3], resulting in a physical interpretation of these tensors and the component ( L S )₂₁.     

A Modified Poincaré Method for the Persistence of Periodic Orbits and Applications

This paper is devoted to the persistence of periodic orbits under perturbations in dynamical systems generated by evolutionary equations, which are not smoothing in finite time, but only asymptotically smoothing. When the periodic orbit of the unperturbed system is non-degenerate, we show the existence and uniqueness of a periodic orbit (with a minimal period near the minimal period of the unperturbed problem) by using “modified” Poincaré methods. Examples of applications, including the perturbed hyperbolic Navier–Stokes equations, systems of damped wave equations and the system of second grade fluids, are given.     

Application of Chien’s Theorem to General Variational Principle in Finite Elasticity with Body Couple

An important theorem proved by W. Z. Chien[1] states the equivalence of the functionals in general variational principles of potential energy and complementary energy. The stated theorem is applied now in formulation of general variational principle in finite elasticity with body couple (polar elasticity). Comoving coordinate system is being used in the derivation throughout (refer to[6], [8]).     

Application of Chien’s Theorem to General Variational Principle in Finite Elasticity with Body Couple

An important theorem proved by W.Z.Chien[1]states the equivalenceof the functionals in general variational principles of potential energy andcomplementary energy.The stated theorem is applied now in formulation ofgeneral variational principle in finite elasticity with body couple(polarelasticity).Comoving coordinate system is being used in the derivationthroughout(refer to[6],[8]).     

Conservation and Balance Laws in Linear Elasticity of Grade Three

In the present paper we investigate conservation and balance laws in the framework of linear elastodynamics considering the strain energy density depending on the gradients of the displacement up to the third order, as originally proposed by Mindlin (Int. J. Solids Struct. 1, 417–438, 1965). The conservation and balance laws that correspond to the symmetries of translation, rotation, scaling and addition of solutions are derived using Noether’s theorem. Also, the formulas of the dynamical J,L and M-integrals are presented for the problem under study. Moreover, the balance law of addition of solutions gives rise to explore the dynamical reciprocal theorem as well as the restrictions under which it is valid.      

A Charming Science Because of Its Complexity and Usefulness

I like the cover page stories of China Particuology,which teach me a lot of history of the science and technology of particle processing. From winnowing and grain processing, to ore upgrading and gunpowder manufacture, and to Pythagoras‘ theorem, we learned sizing,flow, structure, and function, and the active invention ofliving techniques to logical thinking of fundamental relationships behind the techniques, i.e., science.     

Multi-scale Fractured Coal Gas–Solid Coupling Model and Its Applications in Engineering Projects

With coal mining entering the geological environment of “high stress, rich gas, strong adsorption and low permeability,” the difficulty of joint coal and gas extraction clearly augments, the risk of solid–gas coupling dynamic disasters greatly increases, and the underlying mechanisms become more complex. In this paper, based on the characteristics of coal’s multi-scale structure and spatiotemporal variation, the multi-scale fractured coal gas–solid coupling model (MSFM) was built. In this model, the interaction between coal matrix and its fractures and the mechanical characteristics of gas-bearing coal were considered, as well as their coupling relationship. By MATLAB software, the stress–damage–seepage numerical computation programs were developed, which were applied into Comsol Multiphysics to simulate gas flow caused by coal mining. The simulation results showed the spatial variability of coal elastic modulus and cross-flow behaviors of coal seam gas, which were superior to the results of traditional gas–solid coupling model. And the numerical results obtained from MSFM were closer to the measured results in field, while the computation results of traditional model were slightly higher than the measured results. Furthermore, the MSFM in a large scale was verified by field engineering project.     

Plane-Strain Problems for a Class of Gradient Elasticity Models��A Stress Function Approach

The plane strain problem is analyzed in detail for a class of isotropic, compressible, linearly elastic materials with a strain energy density function that depends on both the strain tensor ?? and its spatial gradient ???. The appropriate Airy stress-functions and double-stress-functions are identified and the corresponding boundary value problem is formulated. The problem of an annulus loaded by an internal and an external pressure is solved.     

A Random Field Formulation of Hooke’s Law in All Elasticity Classes

For each of the 8 symmetry classes of elastic materials, we consider a homogeneous random field taking values in the fixed point set \(\mathsf {V}\) of the corresponding class, that is isotropic with respect to the natural orthogonal representation of a group lying between the isotropy group of the class and its normaliser. We find the general form of the correlation tensors of orders 1 and 2 of such a field, and the field’s spectral expansion.     

A Γ-Convergence Approach to Stability of Unilateral Minimality Properties in Fracture Mechanics and Applications

We prove a stability result for a large class of unilateral minimality properties which arise naturally in the theory of crack propagation proposed by Francfort & Marigo in [14]. Then we give an application to the quasistatic evolution of cracks in composite materials. The main tool in the analysis is a Γ-convergence result for energies of the form where S(u) is the jump set of u and is a sequence of rectifiable sets with We prove that no interaction occurs in the Γ-limit process between the bulk and the surface part of the energy. Relying on this result, we introduce a new notion of convergence for (N−1)-rectifiable sets called σ-convergence, which is useful in the study of the stability of unilateral minimality properties.     

A Statistical Representation of the Matrix�CFracture Transfer Function for Porous Media

In this article, the authors present a matrix?Cfracture transfer function where the statistical variation in geometric properties of the matrix blocks is considered. Several particular representations with hypothetical probability density functions (PDFs) for matrix block size distributions are presented, including: (a) the single-value distribution (the limiting case); (b) the uniform distribution; (c) the Gamma distribution; and (d) an approximate representation for arbitrary PDFs. An example using experimental data from the literature, along with the single-block based transfer function developed in this study, is presented demonstrating how the statistical procedure proposed in this text can be applied in practice. It is shown with this example that significant relative errors can be introduced when the statistical variance is ignored. Furthermore, two existing dual-porosity models, the Lim and Aziz model and the Zimmerman et al. model, are also considered using the experimental data. It is shown that considerable relative errors can be introduced with these two models when the effect of statistical variance is not taken into account.     

Polynomial and Exponential Spatial Decay Estimates in Elasticity

In this note we investigate the spatial behavior of the solutions of a combination of a hyperbolic system with an elliptic system. We consider a semi-infinite cylinder which is the union of two sub-cylinders. In one of them, we assume an elastodynamical problem and in the other an elastostatic problem. Both are coupled through an interface. It is known that the elastostatic problem and the elastodynamic problem have a fast decay (at least exponential). However, as their spatial behaviors are of different kind, it is not clear how this combination could be controlled in a similar way. We prove that the decay of solutions can be controlled in a polynomial way. We also describe how to obtain an upper bound for the amplitude term. We conclude the paper sketching the exponential decay behavior for the harmonic vibrations. Supported by the project “Qualitative study of thermomechanical problems” (MTM2006-03706). The author thanks Professor Leseduarte for helping to compose the figures of this paper and an anonymous referee for useful criticisms.     

Problems of the Flamant–Boussinesq and Kelvin Type in Dipolar Gradient Elasticity

This work studies the response of bodies governed by dipolar gradient elasticity to concentrated loads. Two-dimensional configurations in the form of either a half-space (Flamant–Boussinesq type problem) or a full-space (Kelvin type problem) are treated and the concentrated loads are taken as line forces. Our main concern is to determine possible deviations from the predictions of plane-strain/plane-stress classical linear elastostatics when a more refined theory is employed to attack the problems. Of special importance is the behavior of the new solutions near to the point of application of the loads where pathological singularities and discontinuities exist in the classical solutions. The use of the theory of gradient elasticity is intended here to model material microstructure and incorporate size effects into stress analysis in a manner that the classical theory cannot afford. A simple but yet rigorous version of the generalized elasticity theories of Toupin (Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 11:385–414, 1962) and Mindlin (Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 16:51–78, 1964) is employed that involves an isotropic linear response and only one material constant (the so-called gradient coefficient) additional to the standard Lamé constants (Georgiadis et al., J. Elast. 74:17–45, 2004). This theory, which can be viewed as a first-step extension of the classical elasticity theory, assumes a strain-energy density function, which besides its dependence upon the standard strain terms, depends also on strain gradients. The solution method is based on integral transforms and is exact. The present results show departure from the ones of the classical elasticity solutions (Flamant–Boussinesq and Kelvin plane-strain solutions). Indeed, continuous and bounded displacements are predicted at the points of application of the loads. Such a behavior of the displacement fields is, of course, more natural than the singular behavior present in the classical solutions.      

A Variational Model for Plastic Slip and Its Regularization via Γ-Convergence

A variational model is presented able to interpret the onset of plastic deformations, here modeled as displacement jumps occurring along slip surfaces at constant yielding stress. The corresponding strain energy functional, leading to a free-discontinuity problem set in the space of SBV functions, is then approximated by a sequence of regularized elliptic functionals following the seminal work by Ambrosio and Tortorelli (Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 43, 999–1036, 1990) within the framework of Γ-convergence. Comparisons between the results obtainable with the free-discontinuity model and its regularized approximation, in terms of stability of the pure elastic phase, irreversibility of plastic slip and response under unloading, are presented, in general, for the 2-D case of antiplane shear and exemplified, in particular, for the 1-D case.     

Spectral Analysis of the Neumann–Poincaré Operator and Characterization of the Stress Concentration in Anti-Plane Elasticity

When holes or hard elastic inclusions are closely located, stress which is the gradient of the solution to the anti-plane elasticity equation can be arbitrarily large as the distance between two inclusions tends to zero. It is important to precisely characterize the blow-up of the gradient of such an equation. In this paper we show that the blow-up of the gradient can be characterized by a singular function defined by the single layer potential of an eigenfunction corresponding to the eigenvalue 1/2 of a Neumann–Poincaré type operator defined on the boundaries of the inclusions. By comparing the singular function with the one corresponding to two disks osculating to the inclusions, we quantitatively characterize the blow-up of the gradient in terms of explicit functions. In electrostatics, our results apply to the electric field, which is the gradient of the solution to the conductivity equation, in the case where perfectly conducting or insulating inclusions are closely located.     

A Variational Framework for the Thermomechanics of Gradient-Extended Dissipative Solids – with Applications to Diffusion,Damage and Plasticity

Journal of Elasticity - The paper presents a versatile framework for solids which undergo nonisothermal processes with irreversibly changing microstructure at large strains. It outlines rate-type...     

Gearhart–Prüss Theorem and Linear Stability for Riemann Solutions of Conservation Laws

We study the spectral and linear stability of Riemann solutions with multiple Lax shocks for systems of conservation laws. Using a self-similar change of variables, Riemann solutions become stationary solutions for the system u _t + (Df(u) − x I)u _x = 0. In the space of O((1 + |x|)^−η) functions, we show that if , then λ is either an eigenvalue or a resolvent point. Eigenvalues of the linearized system are zeros of the determinant of a transcendental matrix. On some vertical lines in the complex plane, called resonance lines, the determinant can be arbitrarily small but nonzero. A C ⁰ semigroup is constructed. Using the Gearhart–Prüss Theorem, we show that the solutions are O(e ^{γ t} ) if γ is greater than the real parts of the eigenvalues and the coordinates of resonance lines. We study examples where Riemann solutions have two or three Lax-shocks. Dedicated to Professor Pavol Brunovsky on his 70th birthday.     

Techniques and Applications of the Simulated Pattern Adaptation of Wilkinson’s Method for Advanced Microstructure Analysis and Characterization of Plastic Deformation

Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) based Orientation Imaging Microscopy (OIM) is used routinely at ~500 materials laboratories worldwide for the characterization and development of diverse crystalline materials. Statistically significant data sets (~10⁷ individual EBSD measurements) can be collected and analyzed within time periods of acceptable beam stability (~10⁵s). However, limitations in angular and spatial resolution have motivated a continued search for more robust EBSD-based methods. Herein is a gathered presentation of advanced techniques in use, intended as a guide to researchers in selecting the most appropriate method for their work. Wilkinson’s method has been shown to increase angular resolution nearly two orders of magnitude to ±0.006°, facilitating measurement of elastic strain, lattice curvature, and dislocation density. A simulated pattern adaptation of Wilkinson’s method extends these measurement capabilities to polycrystalline materials, by avoiding the need for an experimental strain free reference pattern. The angular resolution limit obtained is ~0.04°. Accurate pattern center calibration, essential to the high resolution methods, is accomplished by parallelization of band edges projected onto a sphere centered at the interaction volume. FFT powered cross-correlation functions improve the spatial resolution near grain boundaries and correct for measurement inaccuracies induced by overlapping patterns. To corroborate these claims, exemplary results taken from a wedge-indented nickel single crystal, cold-worked copper polycrystal, and rolled nickel polycrystal are shown.