Local existence for Frémond’s model of damage in elastic materials

We consider a dissipative model recently proposed by M. Frémond to describe the evolution of damage in elastic materials. The corresponding PDEs system consists of an elliptic equation for the displacements with a degenerating elastic coefficient coupled with a variational dissipative inclusion governing the evolution of damage. We prove a local-in-time existence and uniqueness result for an associated initial and boundary value problem, namely considering the evolution in some subinterval where the damage is not complete. The existence result is obtained by a truncation technique combined with suitable a priori estimates. Finally, we give an analogous local-in-time existence and uniqueness result for the case in which we introduce viscosity into the relation for macroscopic displacements such that the macroscopic equilibrium equation is of parabolic type.Received: 31 July 2002, Accepted: 9 August 2003, Published online: 21 November 2003Correspondence to: E. Bonetti     

Explicit solutions for the coupled stretching–bending problems of holes in composite laminates

Although the classical lamination theory was developed long time ago, it is still not easy to apply this theory to find the analytical solutions for the curvilinear boundary value problems especially when the stretching and bending are coupled each other. To overcome the difficulties, recently we developed a Stroh-like formalism for the general composite laminates. By using this formalism, most of the relations for the coupled stretching–bending problems can be organized into the forms of Stroh formalism for two-dimensional anisotropic elasticity problems. With this newly developed Stroh-like formalism, it becomes easier to obtain an analytical solution for the coupled stretching–bending problems of holes in composite laminates. Because the Stroh-like formalism is a complex variable formalism, the analytical solutions for the whole field are expressed in complex form. Through the use of some identities derived in this paper, the resultant forces and moments around the hole boundary are obtained explicitly in real form. Due to the lack of analytical solutions for the general cases, the comparison is made with the existing analytical solutions for some special cases. In addition, to show the generality of our analytical solutions, several numerical examples are presented to discuss the coupling effect of the laminates and the shape effect of the holes.     

Static equilibrium of a thermoelastic half-plane: Green’s functions and solutions in integrals

This article presents in a closed form new influence functions of a unit point heat source on the displacements for three boundary value problems of thermoelasticity for a half-plane. We also obtain the corresponding new integral formulas of Green’s and Poisson’s types that directly determine the thermoelastic displacements and stresses in the form of integrals of the products of specified internal heat sources or prescribed boundary temperature and constructed already thermoelastic influence functions (kernels). All these results are presented in terms of elementary functions in the form of three theorems. Based on these theorems and on derived early by author the general Green-type integral formula, we obtain in elementary functions new solutions to two particular boundary value problems of thermoelasticity for half-plane. The graphical presentation of the temperature and thermal stresses of one concrete boundary value problems of thermoelasticity for half-plane also is included. The proposed method of constructing thermoelastic Green’s functions and integral formulas is applicable not only for a half-plane, but also for many other two- and three-dimensional canonical domains of different orthogonal coordinate systems.     

A relook at Reissner’s theory of plates in bending

Shear deformation and higher order theories of plates in bending are (generally) based on plate element equilibrium equations derived either through variational principles or other methods. They involve coupling of flexure with torsion (torsion-type) problem and if applied vertical load is along one face of the plate, coupling even with extension problem. These coupled problems with reference to vertical deflection of plate in flexure result in artificial deflection due to torsion and increased deflection of faces of the plate due to extension. Coupling in the former case is eliminated earlier using an iterative method for analysis of thick plates in bending. The method is extended here for the analysis of associated stretching problem in flexure.     

Exact solutions and mathematical properties of boundary‐value problems for dynamic‐diffusion boundary layers

The paper studies boundaryvalue problems for dynamicdiffusion boundary layers occurring near a vertical wall at high Schmidt numbers and for dynamic boundary layers whose inner edge is adjacent to the dynamicdiffusion layers. Exact solutions for boundary layers at small and large times are derived. The wellposedness of the boundaryvalue problem for a steady dynamicdiffusion layer is studied.     

High-order derivatives of Green’s functions in magneto-electro-elastic materials

Three-dimensional Green’s functions and their arbitrary order derivatives in general anisotropic magneto-electro-elastic materials are derived by using Fourier transform. They are analytical solutions expressed in line integral forms, and can be evaluated by a standard numerical integration method. With this method, we can obtain results with high accuracy. Besides, a numerical finite difference method is also given to evaluate the second-order derivatives quickly. When setting the appropriate material coefficients to zero, the piezoelectric, piezomagnetic, and purely anisotropic elastic Green’s functions and their derivatives can all be obtained from the current solutions.     

Homogenization of elastic–viscoplastic heterogeneous materials: Self-consistent and Mori-Tanaka schemes

This paper deals with the prediction of the macroscopic behavior of a multiphase elastic–viscoplastic material. The proposed homogenization schemes are based on an interaction law postulated by Molinari et al. [Molinari, A., Ahzi, S., Kouddane, R. 1997. On the self-consistent modelling of elastic–plastic behavior of polycrystals. Mech. Mater., 26, 43–62]. Self-consistent schemes are developed to describe the behavior of disordered aggregates. The Mori-Tanaka approach is used to capture the behavior of composite materials, where one phase can be clearly identified as the matrix. The proposed schemes are developed within a general framework where compressible elasticity and anisotropy of the materials are taken into account. Inclusions can have various shapes and orientations. Illustrations of the homogenization procedure are given for a two-phase composite materials. Comparisons between results of the literature and predictions based on the interaction law are performed and have demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed homogenization schemes.     

On Saint-Venant’s principle in the dynamics of elastic beams

In dynamics, Saint-Venant’s principle of exponential decay of stress resulting from a self-equilibrating load is not valid. For a beam type structure, a self-equilibrated load may penetrate well inside the beam. Although this effect has been known for a long time, at least since Lamb’s paper [Proc. Roy. Soc. Lon. Ser. A 93 (1916) 114], it was not clear how to characterize it quantitatively. In this paper we propose a “probabilistic approach” to evaluate the magnitude of the penetrating stress state. The key point is that, in engineering problems, the distribution of the self-equilibrated load is usually not known. By assigning to the self-equilibrated load some probabilistic measure one can find probabilistic characteristics of the penetrating stress state. We develop this reasoning for the simplest case: longitudinal vibrations of a two-dimensional semi-infinite, elastic isotropic homogeneous strip, excited by a periodic load at the end. We show the frequency range where Saint-Venant’s principle can be used with good accuracy, and thus, one-dimensional classical beam theory still can be applied. We characterize also the increase in this range which is achieved in the refined plate theory proposed by Berdichevsky and Le [J. Appl. Math. Mech. (PMM) 42 (1) (1978) 140].     

Analysis of scattering waves in an elastic layered medium by means of the complete eigenfunction expansion form of the Green’s function

A scattering problem due to an object and a plane incident wave in an elastic layered half space is presented in this paper. The complete eigenfunction expansion form of the Green’s function developed by the author and the boundary integral equation method are introduced into the analysis. First, the complete eigenfunction expansion form of the Green’s function is investigated for its application to the scattering problem. A comprehensive explanation is also given for the fact that the complex Rayleigh wave modes exhibit standing waves. Next, a method for the analysis of scattering waves by means of the Green’s function is presented. The advantage of the present method is that the formulation itself is independent of the number of layers and the scattering waves can be decomposed into the modes for the spectra defined for the layered medium. Several numerical calculations are performed to examine the efficiency of the present method as well as the properties of the scattering waves. According to the numerical results, the complete eigenfunction expansion form of the Green’s function provides accurate values for application to a boundary element analysis. The spectral structure and radiation patterns of the scattering wave are presented and investigated. The differences in directionality can be found from the radiation patterns of the scattering waves decomposed into the modes for the spectra.     

A generalization of Prandtl’s and Spencer’s solutions on axisymmetric viscous flow

New analytical solutions for axisymmetric deformation of a viscous hollow circular cylinder on a rigid fibre are given. One of the solutions generalizes the famous Prandtl’s solution for compression of a rigid perfectly plastic layer between two rough, parallel plates and the other is a modification of Spencer’s solution for compression of an axisymmetric rigid perfectly plastic layer on a rigid fibre. All equations are satisfied exactly whereas some boundary conditions are approximated in a standard manner. Special attention is devoted to frictional interface conditions since these conditions result in additional limitations of the applicability of the solution when compared to that based on a rigid perfectly plastic models. In particular, difficulties with the convergence of numerical solutions under certain conditions can be explained with the use of results obtained. Therefore, the solutions can serve as benchmark problems for verifying numerical codes. The solutions are also adopted to predict the brittle fracture of fibres by means of an approach used in previous studies and confirmed by experiment.     

Radial basis functions collocation and a unified formulation for bending,vibration and buckling analysis of laminated plates,according to a variation of Murakami’s zig-zag theory

In this paper, we propose a variation of the use of Murakami’s zig-zag theory for the analysis of laminated plates. The new theory accounts for through-the-thickness deformation, by considering a quadratic evolution of the transverse displacement with the thickness coordinate. The equations of motion and the boundary conditions are obtained by the Carrera’s Unified Formulation, and further interpolated by collocation with radial basis functions. This paper considers the analysis of static deformations, free vibrations and buckling loads on laminated composite plates.     

Pulsatile blood flow in large arteries: comparative study of Burton’s and McDonald’s models

To get a clear picture of the pulsatile nature of blood flow and its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, a comparative study of blood flow in large arteries is carried out using the two widely used models, McDonald＇s and Burton＇s models, for the pressure gradient. For both models, the blood velocity in the lumen is obtained analytically. Elaborate investigations on the wall shear stress （WSS） and oscillatory shear index （OSI） are carried out. The results are in good agreement with the available data in the literature. The superiority of McDonald＇s model in capturing the pulsatile nature of blood flow, especially the OSI, is highlighted. The present investigation supports the hypothesis that not only WSS but also OSI are the essential features determining the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Finally, by reviewing the limitations of the present investigation, the possibility of improvement is explored.     

On using mesh-based and mesh-free methods in problems defined by Eringen’s non-local integral model: issues and remedies

With the recent success of nonlocal theories in modeling of engineering problems involving small intrinsic length scales, such as modeling of crack propagation, this paper addresses issues pertaining to cost-ineffectiveness of Eringen’s integral model. The cost effectiveness of the computation may be considered as a twofold issue; one pertaining to the non-local model and another pertaining to the numerical tool. First of all, we shall show that during the solution of problems with Eringen’s non-local integral model, there is no need to consider the integral model for the whole computational domain. In fact, the problems may be solved by just using the integral model close to the boundaries, i.e. a boundary layer effect, or around the points with singularities. In this paper we propose a partitioning strategy to remarkably reduce the computational cost. This may be considered as a gateway for solving some types of two-scale problems, e.g. those with macro/micro and nano scales, in which the small scale effects are localized just at parts of the domain. To demonstrate the efficiency of the numerical tools, we examine the performance of the finite element method (FEM), the element free Galerkin method (EFG) and the finite point method (FPM). This paves the way for using mesh-free methods in the solution of problems with non-local integral models. Examples with smooth and non-smooth solutions are considered for examining the efficiency of the methods. It will be shown that, by considering the boundary layer effect, the FEM and FPM will be efficient enough for being used in problems defined by Eringen’s non-local integral model.

     

Closed form solution and numerical analysis for Eshelby’s elliptic inclusion in plane elasticity

This paper presents a closed form solution and numerical analysis for Es- helby＇s elliptic inclusion in an infinite plate. The complex variable method and the confor- real mapping technique are used. The continuity conditions for the traction and displace- ment along the interface in the physical plane are reduced to the similar conditions along the unit circle of the mapping plane. The properties of the complex potentials defined in the finite elliptic region are analyzed. From the continuity conditions, one can separate and obtain the relevant complex potentials defined in the inclusion and the matrix. From the obtained complex potentials, the dependence of the real strains and stresses in the inclusion from the assumed eigenstrains is evaluated. In addition, the stress distribution on the interface along the matrix side is evaluated. The results are obtained in the paper for the first time.     

Kepler’s equation and limit cycles in a class of PWM feedback control systems

The aim of this paper is to point out some new results concerning the ripple instability in the closed-loop control system using pulse width modulators (PWM), with natural sampling, as power amplifier. The presented analysis, based on the dual-input describing function method and the theoretical framework of Kepler’s problem, shows an equivalence between the computation of switching instants of the PWM and the eccentric anomaly of the planet orbit around the sun, giving a simple stability criterion and a sufficient condition for the absence of solutions of the harmonic balance equation and, therefore, the probable absence of limit cycles of a period of a multiple of that characteristic of the modulator. The derived stability criterion, by using the describing function method, is successively compared with the local stability of the closed-loop PWM system for first- and second-order plants. In the first case it has been formally proved that the proposed criterion ensures the local stability of an equilibrium point, while in the second one a Monte Carlo simulation has confirmed that the selection of the modulator parameters, according to the proposed criterion, gives an effective method to avoid limit cycles and to ensure the local stability.     

Strain gradient solution for a finite-domain Eshelby-type plane strain inclusion problem and Eshelby’s tensor for a cylindrical inclusion in a finite elastic matrix

A solution for the finite-domain Eshelby-type inclusion problem of a finite elastic body containing a plane strain inclusion prescribed with a uniform eigenstrain and a uniform eigenstrain gradient is derived in a general form using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory (SSGET). The formulation is facilitated by an extended Betti’s reciprocal theorem and an extended Somigliana’s identity based on the SSGET and suitable for plane strain problems. The disturbed displacement field is obtained in terms of the SSGET-based Green’s function for an infinite plane strain elastic body, which differs from that in earlier studies using the three-dimensional Green’s function. The solution reduces to that of the infinite-domain inclusion problem when the boundary effect is suppressed. The problem of a cylindrical inclusion embedded concentrically in a finite plane strain cylindrical elastic matrix of an enhanced continuum is analytically solved for the first time by applying the general solution, with the Eshelby tensor and its average over the circular cross section of the inclusion obtained in closed forms. This Eshelby tensor, being dependent on the position, inclusion size, matrix size, and a material length scale parameter, captures the inclusion size and boundary effects, unlike existing ones. It reduces to the classical elasticity-based Eshelby tensor for the cylindrical inclusion in an infinite matrix if both the strain gradient and boundary effects are not considered. Numerical results quantitatively show that the inclusion size effect can be quite large when the inclusion is very small and that the boundary effect can dominate when the inclusion volume fraction is very high. However, the inclusion size effect is diminishing with the increase of the inclusion size, and the boundary effect is vanishing as the inclusion volume fraction becomes sufficiently low.     

Derivation of Mindlin’s first and second strain gradient elastic theory via simple lattice and continuum models

Mindlin, in his celebrated papers of Arch. Rat. Mech. Anal. 16, 51–78, 1964 and Int. J. Solids Struct. 1, 417–438, 1965, proposed two enhanced strain gradient elastic theories to describe linear elastic behavior of isotropic materials with micro-structural effects. Since then, many works dealing with strain gradient elastic theories, derived either from lattice models or homogenization approaches, have appeared in the literature. Although elegant, none of them reproduces entirely the equation of motion as well as the classical and non-classical boundary conditions appearing in Mindlin theory, in terms of the considered lattice or continuum unit cell. Furthermore, no lattice or continuum models that confirm the second gradient elastic theory of Mindlin have been reported in the literature. The present work demonstrates two simple one dimensional models that conclude to first and second strain gradient elastic theories being identical to the corresponding ones proposed by Mindlin. The first is based on the standard continualization of the equation of motion taken for a sequence of mass-spring lattices, while the second one exploits average processes valid in continuum mechanics. Furthermore, Mindlin developed his theory by adding new terms in the expressions of potential and kinetic energy and introducing intrinsic micro-structural parameter without however providing explicit expressions that correlate micro-structure with macro-structure. This is accomplished in the present work where in both models the derived internal length scale parameters are correlated to the size of the considered unit cell.     

Exact linearization of one dimensional Itô equations driven by fBm: Analytical and numerical solutions

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the linearization of the one-dimensional Itô stochastic differential equations driven by fractional Brownian motion (fBm) are given. Stochastic integrating factor has been introduced. A modified Milstein method has been developed to obtain numerical solutions. Analytical solutions have been compared with the numerical solutions for linearizable equations.