On Isotropic Invariants of the Elasticity Tensor

Isotropic invariants of the elasticity tensor always yield the same values no matter what coordinate system is concerned and therefore they characterize the linear elasticity of a solid material intrinsically. There exists a finite set of invariants of the elasticity tensor such that each invariant of the elasticity tensor can be expressed as a single-valued function of this set. Such a set, called a basis of invariants of the elasticity tensor, can be used to realize a parametrization of the manifold of orbits of elastic moduli, i.e. to distinguish different kinds of linear elastic materials. Seeking such a basis is an old problem in theory of invariants and seems to have been unsuccessful until now. In this paper, by means of the unique spectral decomposition of the elasticity tensor every invariant of the elasticity tensor is shown to be a joint invariant of the eigenprojections of the elasticity tensor, and then by utilizing some properties of the eigenprojections a basis for each case concerning the multiplicity of the eigenvalues of the elasticity tensor is presented in terms of joint invariants of the eigenprojections. In addition to the foregoing properties, the presented invariants may also be used to form invariant criteria for identification of elastic symmetry axes.     

Symmetry conditions for third order elastic moduli and implications in nonlinear wave theory

Several results are presented concerning symmetry properties of the tensor of third order elastic moduli. It is proven that a set of conditions upon the components of the modulus tensor are both necessary and sufficient for a given direction to be normal to a plane of material symmetry. This leads to a systematic procedure by which the underlying symmetry of a material can be calculated from the 56 third order moduli. One implication of the symmetry conditions is that the nonlinearity parameter governing the evolution of acceleration waves and nonlinear wave phenomena is identically zero for all transverse waves associated with a plane of material symmetry.     

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.      

A stochastic model for elasticity tensors with uncertain material symmetries

In this paper, we consider the probabilistic modeling of media exhibiting uncertainties on material symmetries. More specifically, we address both the construction of a stochastic model and the definition of a methodology allowing the numerical simulation (and consequently, the inverse experimental identification) of random elasticity tensors whose mean distance (in a sense to be defined) to a given class of material symmetry is specified. Following the eigensystem characterization of the material symmetries, the proposed approach relies on the probabilistic model derived in Mignolet and Soize (2008), allowing the variance of selected eigenvalues of the elasticity tensor to be partially prescribed. In this context, a new methodology (regarding in particular the parametrization of the model) is defined and illustrated in the case of transversely isotropic materials. The efficiency of the approach is demonstrated by computing the mean distance of the random elasticity tensor to a given material symmetry class, the distance and projection onto the space of transversely isotropic tensors being defined by considering the Riemmanian metric and the Euclidean projection, respectively. It is shown that the methodology allows the above distance to be (partially) reduced as the overall level of statistical fluctuations increases, no matter the initial distance of the mean model used in the simulations. A comparison between this approach and the initial nonparametric approach introduced in Soize (2008) is finally provided.     

Bootstrap Elasticity: From Linear to Nonlinear Constitutive Representations

The normal modes of the 6×6 symmetric matrix of elastic moduli for linear anisotropic elasticity, also called Kelvin modes, provide orthogonal basis sets for the six dimensional space of symmetric, second order tensors in three dimensional Euclidean space. In turn the partitioning of the six space, induced by these bases and the multiplicity of each eigenvalue, provides the means for constructing six term minimal representations of nonlinear constitutive equations for materials of any symmetry from triclinic to cubic. The constructions also for the first time show clear connections to the linear elastic moduli, which through the eigenvalues set the scale for most, but not all, of the tensor generators. This approach also provides an alternate way to construct the well-known three term Rivlin-Ericksen representation for nonlinear isotropic materials.     

Periodic Homogenization and Material Symmetry in Linear Elasticity

Here homogenization theory is used to establish a connection between the symmetries of a periodic elastic structure associated with the microscopic properties of an elastic material and the material symmetries of the effective, macroscopic elasticity tensor. Previous results of this type exist but here more general symmetries on the microscale are considered. Using an explicit example, we show that it is possible for a material to be fully anisotropic on the microscale and yet the symmetry group on the macroscale can contain elements other than plus or minus the identity. Another example demonstrates that not all material symmetries of the macroscopic elastic tensor are generated by symmetries of the periodic elastic structure.     

A nonhomogeneous nonlocal elasticity model

Nonlocal elasticity with nonhomogeneous elastic moduli and internal length is addressed within a thermodynamic framework suitable to cope with continuum nonlocality. The Clausius–Duhem inequality, enriched by the energy residual, is used to derive the state equations and all other thermodynamic restrictions upon the constitutive equations. A phenomenological nonhomogeneous nonlocal (strain difference-dependent) elasticity model is proposed, in which the stress is the sum of two contributions, local and nonlocal, respectively governed by the standard elastic moduli tensor and the (symmetric positive-definite) nonlocal stiffness tensor. The inhomogeneities of the elastic moduli and of the internal length are conjectured to be each the cause of additional attenuation effects upon the long distance particle interactions. The increased attenuation effects are accounted for by means of the standard attenuation function, but with the standard spatial distance replaced by a suitably larger equivalent distance, and with the spatially variable internal length replaced by the largest value within the domain. Formulae for the computation of the equivalent distance are heuristically suggested and illustrated with numerical examples. The solution uniqueness of the continuum boundary-value problem is proven and the related total potential energy principle given and employed for possible nonlocal-FEM discretizations. A bar in tension is considered for a few numerical applications, showing perfect numerical stability, provided the free energy potential is positive definite.     

Identifying Symmetry Classes of Elasticity Tensors Using Monoclinic Distance Function

We present a method to identify the symmetry class of an elasticity tensor whose components are given with respect to an arbitrarily oriented coordinate system. The method is based on the concept of distance in the space of tensors, and relies on the monoclinic or transversely isotropic distance function. Since the orientation of a monoclinic or transversely isotropic tensor depends on two Euler angles only, we can plot the corresponding distance functions on the unit sphere in ℝ³ and observe the symmetry pattern of the plot. In particular, the monoclinic distance function vanishes in the directions of the normals of the mirror planes, so the number and location of the zeros allows us to identify the symmetry class and the orientation of the natural coordinate system. Observing the approximate locations of the zeros on the plot, we can constrain a numerical algorithm for finding the exact orientation of the natural coordinate system.     

Bounds and perturbation series for incompressible elastic composites with transverse isotropic symmetry

The effective elastic behavior of a transversely isotropic composite made from two incompressible elastic materials is examined. The set of all effective elasticity tensors for transversely isotropic finite rank laminar microstructures is described. The extremal property of this class of microstructures is used to derive a new more precise characterization of the set of effective shear moduli.The perturbation series for the effective elasticity tensor is considered. An explicit formula for the second order perturbation tensor is derived. We describe precisely the set of tensors that correspond to all second order perturbations consistent with transverse isotropy. We apply analytic methods [cf. 27] to show that all second order perturbation tensors are realized by finite rank laminar microstructures.Supported by NSF through Grant DMS-3907658.     

Comparison between the Material Symmetry Approaches of Gurtin and Noll

The material symmetry condition of Noll is compared with that of Gurtin for elastic solids. (In this paper elastic solids refer to simply elastic solid materials.) We demonstrate that the difference between the two approaches is due to the fact that Gurtin's involves an additional rotation of the configuration. We show that the two ideas of material symmetry are equivalent for elastic solids in the context of finite elasticity theory. However, the procedures for applying these two approaches to classical linear elasticity theory are different. Also, we observe that both methods can be directly applied to the invariant infinitesimal theory of Casey and Naghdi without starting with the case of finite deformations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Conditions for Strong Ellipticity of Anisotropic Elastic Materials

We consider the problem of finding the transversely isotropic elasticity tensor closest to a given elasticity tensor with respect to the Frobenius norm. A similar problem was considered by other authors and solved analytically assuming a fixed orientation of the natural coordinate system of the transversely isotropic tensor. In this paper we formulate a method for finding the optimal orientation of the coordinate system—the one that produces the shortest distance. The optimization problem reduces to finding the absolute maximum of a homogeneous eighth-degree polynomial on a two-dimensional sphere. This formulation allows us a convenient visualization of local extrema, and enables us to find the closest transversely isotropic tensor numerically.      

On the conditions for the existence of a plane of symmetry for anisotropic elastic material

We consider the problem of determining necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of symmetry planes of an anisotropic elastic material. These conditions are given in several equivalent forms, and are used to determine special coordinate systems where the number of non-zero components in the elasticity tensor is minimized. By the method presented here it is also shown that an elastic solid has at least six coordinate systems with respect to which there are only 18 non-zero elastic constants and cannot possess more then ten traditional and distinct symmetrics by planes of symmetry.     

Optimal Orthotropy for Minimum Elastic Energy by the Polar Method

The polar method is a minimal invariant representation in plane elasticity. A plane orthotropic elastic behaviour is expressed by five polar invariants related to the elastic symmetries. In this paper, considering the orthotropy orientation and the polar invariants as optimisation parameters, we discuss the problem of minimising the elastic energy for a given state of stress. The minimisation with respect to the orientation is solved in order to find the associated optimal elastic energy for given polar invariants. Then, this quantity is minimised with respect to the polar invariants which characterise the magnitude of the anisotropic components of the elastic stiffness tensor. Optimal uncoupled composite laminates corresponding to this optimum are presented for membrane and bending loadings.     

Coordinate-free Characterization of the Symmetry Classes of Elasticity Tensors

We formulate coordinate-free conditions for identifying all the symmetry classes of the elasticity tensor and prove that these conditions are both necessary and sufficient. Also, we construct a natural coordinate system of this tensor without the a priory knowledge of the symmetry axes.     

Modeling and simulation of martensitic phase transitions with a triple point

A framework for modeling complex global energy landscapes in a piecewise manner is presented. Specifically, a class of strain-dependent energy functions is derived for the triple point of Zirconia (ZrO₂), where tetragonal, orthorhombic (orthoI) and monoclinic phases are stable. A simple two-dimensional framework is presented to deal with this symmetry breaking. An explicit energy is then fitted to the available elastic moduli of Zirconia in this two-dimensional setting. First, we use the orbit space method to deal with symmetry constraints in an easy way. Second, we introduce a modular (piecewise) approach to reproduce or model elastic moduli, energy barriers and other characteristics independently of each other in a sequence of local steps. This allows for more general results than the classical Landau theory (understood in the sense that the energy is a polynomial of invariant polynomials). The class of functions considered here is strictly larger. Finite-element simulations for the energy constructed here demonstrate the pattern formation in Zirconia at the triple point.     

Canonical moduli and general solution of equations of a two-dimensional static problem of anisotropic elasticity

Equations of a two-dimensional static problem of anisotropic elasticity are brought to a simple form with the use of orthogonal and affine transformations of coordinates and corresponding transformations of mechanical quantities. It is proved that an arbitrary matrix of elasticity moduli containing six independent components can be always converted by a congruent transformation to a matrix with two independent components, which are called the canonical moduli. Depending on the relations between the canonical moduli, the determinant of the matrix of operators of equations in displacements is presented as a product of various quadratic terms. A general presentation of the solution of equations in displacements in the form of a linear combination of the first derivatives of two quasi-harmonic functions satisfying two independent equations is given. A symmetry operator (i.e., a formula of production of new solutions) is found to correspond to each presentation. In a three-dimensional case, the matrix of elasticity moduli with 21 independent components is congruent to a matrix with 12 independent canonical moduli.     

Identification of symmetry type of linear elastic stiffness tensor in an arbitrarily orientated coordinate system

We develop a method through the mirror plane (MP) to identify the symmetry type of linear elastic stiffness tensor whose components are given with respect to an arbitrarily oriented coordinate system. The method is based on the irreducible decomposition of high-order tensor into a set of deviators and the multipole representation of a deviator into a scalar and a unit-vector set. Since a unit-vector depends on two Euler angles, we can illustrate the MP normals of the elastic tensor as zeros of a characteristic function on a unit disk and identify its symmetry immediately, which is clearer and simpler than the methods proposed before. Furthermore, by finding the common MPs of three unit-vector sets using Fortran recipes, we can also analytically recognize the symmetry type first and then recover the natural coordinate system associated with the linear elastic tensor. The structures of linear elastic stiffness tensors of real materials with all possible anisotropies are investigated in detail.     

Effective elastic properties of solids with defects of irregular shapes

Pores and defects in real materials often have very irregular shapes. Thus, micromechanical modeling based on the analytical solutions of elasticity becomes inapplicable. The objective of this paper is to present a computational procedure to calculate the contribution of the irregularly shaped defects into the effective moduli of two-dimensional elastic solids. In this procedure, the cavity compliance tensor is constructed numerically for an individual defect, and then used in the elastic potential-based approach to predict the effective moduli of porous solids. Two computational methods are used in this paper to calculate the components of a cavity compliance tensor: finite element analysis and numerical conformal mapping. Application of this procedure to the regular hole shapes produces results that are in good correspondence with analytical predictions.     

Une analyse micromécanique 3-D de l'endommagement par mésofissuration

A micromechanical analysis of brittle damage is proposed. This analysis consists of a 3-D generalization of the study performed by Andrieux et al. In this approach, the macroscopic free energy for open microcracks and frictionless closed microcracks is built. The conditions for unilateral contact (opening/closure criterion, elastic moduli recovery) are also presented. The proposed construction ensures at the macroscopic level the symmetry of the elastic stiffness tensor and the continuity of stress at the damage deactivation.