Disclinated states in nematic elastomers

We present a theory for uniaxial nematic elastomers with variable asphericity. As an application of the theory, we consider the time-independent, isochoric radial expansion of a right circular cylinder. Numerical solutions to the resulting differential equation are obtained for a range of radial expansions. For all expansions considered, there exists an isotropic core of material surrounding the cylinder axis where the asphericity vanishes and in which the polymeric chains are shaped as spherical coils. This region, corresponding to a disclination of strength +1 along the axis, is bounded by a narrow transition layer across which the asphericity increases rapidly and attains a non-trivial positive value. The material thereby becomes anisotropic away from the disclination so that the polymeric chains are shaped as ellipsoidal coils of revolution prolate about the cylinder radius. In accordance with the area of steeply changing asphericity between isotropic and anisotropic regimes, a marked drop in the free-energy density is observed. The boundary of the disclination core is associated with the location of this energy drop. For realistic choices of material parameters, this criterion yields a core on the order of 10⁻² μm, which coincides with observations in conventional liquid-crystal melts. Also occurring at the core boundary, and further confirming its location, are sharp transitions in the behavior of the constitutively determined contributions to the deformational stress and a change in the pressure. Furthermore, the constitutively determined contribution to the orientational stress is completely concentrated at the core boundary. The total energy shows a definitive preference for disclinated states.     

��-convergence of energies for nematic elastomers in the small strain limit

We study two variational models recently proposed in the literature to describe the mechanical behaviour of nematic elastomers either in the fully nonlinear regime or in the framework of a geometrically linear theory. We show that, in the small strain limit, the energy functional of the first one Γ-converges to the relaxation of the second one, a functional for which an explicit representation formula is available.     

Superposition principles for small amplitude oscillatory shearing of nematic mesophases

The linear viscoelasticty of Leslie-Ericksen monodomain liquid crystals subjected to a bend distortion through a small amplitude oscillatory shear flow driven by harmonic wall stress is analyzed, using numerical and asymptotic methods. The viscoelastic material functions were derived using a new scaling approach that extracts the material parameters that control superposition. Small and high frequency superposition schemes for linear viscoleasticity were derived. The schemes were successfully applied to collapse the predicted loss and storage linear viscoelastic moduli of seven experimental data sets. Comparisons between different shear flows (simple shear and capillary Poiseuille) and different director distortion modes (splay and bend) shows that the superposition schemes are applicable to shear flows in any single director distortion mode.     

Influence of large strain preloads on the viscoelastic response of rubber-like materials under small oscillations

The viscoelastic response predicted by linearized internal variables models in the case of small oscillations superimposed on a large static preload is investigated, comparing simple forms of the Zener and the Poynting–Thomson models. It is shown that both of them predict a preload dependency of the equilibrium linearized stress, but only the latter take into account such a dependency on the out-of-equilibrium part. Yet, the Zener model is much more frequently linearized as the Poynting–Thomson model. The formulation of each model for finite deformations is quickly reminded, before linearizing them around a large static preload. Finally, a comparison of the influence of preload on each model is proposed for uniaxial extension, before discussing which kind of model has to be chosen regarding theoretical and practical aspects.     

Stress relaxation of large amplitudes and long timescales in soft thermoplastic and filled elastomers

We propose a model for describing mesoscale relaxation mechanisms in soft thermoplastic elastomers and also in the high-temperature regime of filled rubbers. The model consists of hard spheres embedded in an elastic matrix. It is solved by dissipative particle dynamics. We study the response of the model to deformations of various amplitudes. We show that it displays slow relaxation processes of large amplitudes that are related to irreversible reorganizations at a mesoscopic scale. We characterize these reorganizations as buckling of instabilities that change the local environment of the hard inclusions. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Rheology Conference, AERC 2006, April 27–29, 2006, Crete, Greece.     

Likelihood and expected-time statistics of monodomain attractors in sheared discotic and rod-like nematic polymers

Employing a mesoscopic Doi tensor model, we develop transient statistical properties of sheared nematic polymer monodomains consistent with typical experimental protocols. Our goal is to convey to the experimentalist a list of expected outcomes, based not only on properties of the nematic liquid and imposed flow rate, but also on the timescale of the experiment and variability in the initial conditions. Step 1 is deterministic: we solve the model equations completely, then compile the flow-phase diagram of all monodomain attractors and phase transitions versus nematic concentration and Peclet number (shear rate normalized by molecular relaxation rate). Step 2 is to overlay on the phase diagram a statistical diagnostic of the expected time, t_A, to reach a small neighborhood of every attractor A. The statistics are taken over the arbitrary quiescent director angle on the sphere, modeling experiments that begin from rest. Step 3 is to explore parameter regimes with multiple attractors, where we statistically determine the likelihood of convergence to each attractor. These statistical properties are critical for any application of theoretical models to the interpretation of experimental data. If t_A is longer than the timescale of the experiment, attractor A is never fully resonated and the relevant stress and scattering predictions are those of the transients, not the attractor. In bi-stable and tri-stable parameter regimes, which are typical of nematic polymers, a distribution of monodomains of each type will populate the sample, so experimental data must be compared with weighted averages based on the likelihood of each attractor (see Grosso et al (2003) Phys Rev Lett 90:098304). The final step is to give statistics of shear stress and normal stress differences during the approach to each attractor type, as well as typical paths of the major director that are contrasted with the results of Van Horn et al (Rheol Acta (2003) 42(6):585–589) with Leslie-Ericksen theory.     

The influence of pre-loading and thermal recovery on the viscoelastic response of filled elastomers

Experimental data are reported in tensile relaxation tests on carbon black-filled natural rubber at strains up to 200%. Constitutive equations are derived for the time-dependent response of a particle-reinforced elastomer at finite strains. Adjustable parameters in the model are found by fitting observations. The effects on mechanical pre-loading and thermal recovery are analyzed on the material constants.     

Combining the logarithmic strain and the full-network model for a better understanding of the hyperelastic behavior of rubber-like materials

Suitably defined invariants of the logarithmic strain are shown to be more adequate than the usual invariants of the left Cauchy-Green tensor to define the type and intensity of a strain applied to hyperelastic rubber-like materials. Coupling these invariants with the macromolecular full-network model clarifies some features of the state of strain dependence of these materials. Finally, comparisons of the model with experimental data illustrate the efficiency of the full-network model and the dependence of the material parameters on the applied loading history.     

A novel specimen for investigating the mechanical behavior of elastomers under multiaxial loading conditions

In this paper we describe the design and manufacture of an axial-torsion test specimen, and provide relationships needed when conducting stress-strain characterization experiments with the specimen. The specimen is a short hollow cylinder of rubber bonded between two steel mounting rings, in which simultaneous axial and shear strains are produced via independently controlled axial and twist displacements. We present calculations for the strain-displacement and stress-load relationships, and strain energy density. These relationships have been established and validated via a combination of analytical and experimental techniques, and finite element analysis. We have investigated the extent and effects of strain and stress field non-uniformity in the test specimen. The specimen design is sufficiently simple that a closed-form expression for the strain-displacement relationship has been successfully developed.     

Rheo-dielectric behavior of low molecular weight liquid crystal 2. Behavior of 8CB in nematic and smectic states

Rheo-dielectric behavior was examined for 4−4^′−n-octyl-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) having large dipoles parallel to its principal axis (in the direction of the C≡N bond). In the quiescent state at all temperatures (T) examined, orientational fluctuation of the 8CB molecules was observed as dielectric dispersions at characteristic frequencies ω_c>10⁶ s⁻¹. In the isotropic state at high T, no detectable changes of the complex dielectric constant ɛ^*(ω) were found under slow flow at shear rates ˙γ≫ω_c. In the nematic state at intermediate T, the terminal relaxation intensity of ɛ^*(ω) was decreased under such slow flow. In the smectic state at lower T, the flow effect became much less significant. These results were related to the flow-induced changes of the liquid crystalline textures in the nematic and smectic states, and the differences of the rheo-dielectric behavior in these states are discussed in relation to a difference of the symmetry of molecular arrangements in the nematic and smectic textures. Received: 1 October 1998 Accepted: 13 January 1999     

A Rheotens-based setup for the constant strain rate uniaxial extension of uncured elastomers

A novel experimental setup for the uniaxial extension of uncured elastomers is presented, and room temperature experiments at constant Hencky strain rate are performed by means of a commercial Rheotens tensile tester originally designed for the determination of the melt strength of polymer melts. Successful results are obtained for materials related to many aspects of the elastomers production, namely, gum elastomers and carbon black compounds. Stress growth experiments are reported for filled and unfilled high-cis-polybutadiene, and the extensional behavior is related to the carbon black dispersion. Although originally thought as an experimental tool for polymer melts, the proposed Rheotens setup can also perform constant strain rate tensile testing on thermoplastic rubbers. Stress-strain experiments are performed on a microphase separated polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) copolymer and related blends with polypropylene, showing the effect of a constant deformation rate on the network response. Relaxation experiments after cessation of extensional flow are also reported for the investigated materials. With respect to commonly used tensile testing procedures for elastomers at constant elongation rate and time decreasing strain rate, a complete and accurate investigation of the extensional behavior of many uncured elastomers can be carried out with the additional advantage of using a reduced amount of material.     

Constitutive modelling of the amplitude and frequency dependency of filled elastomers utilizing a modified Boundary Surface Model

A phenomenological uniaxial model is derived for implementation in the time domain, which captures the amplitude and frequency dependency of filled elastomers. Motivated by the experimental observation that the frequency dependency is stronger for smaller strain amplitudes than for large ones, a novel material model is presented. It utilizes a split of deformation between a generalized Maxwell chain in series with a bounding surface plasticity model with a vanishing elastic region. Many attempts to capture the behaviour of filled elastomers are found in the literature, which often utilize an additive split between an elastic and a history dependent element, in parallel. Even though some models capture the storage and loss modulus during sinusoidal excitations, they often fail to do so for more complex load histories. Simulations with the derived model are compared to measurements in simple shear on a compound of carbon black filled natural rubber used in driveline isolators in the heavy truck industry. The storage and loss modulus from simulations agree very well with measurements, using only 7 material parameters to capture 2 decades of strain (0.5–50% shear strain) and frequency (0.2–20 Hz). More importantly, with material parameters extracted from the measured storage and loss modulus, measurements of a dual sine excitation are well replicated. This enables realistic operating conditions to be simulated early in the development process, before an actual prototype is available for testing, since the loads in real life operating conditions frequently are a combination of many harmonics.     

应力约束处理为应变能集成的连续体结构拓扑优化

为克服应力约束下拓扑优化问题约束多、应力敏度计算量大的困难,本文提出了将应力约束处理为应变能集成的结构拓扑优化ICM方法。文中用几个典型算例对该方法进行了检验,结果表明:本方法优化效率较高,而且得到的结构最优拓扑较为合理。     

Ab initio calculations of the equation of state of hydrogen in a regime relevant for inertial fusion applications

We describe ab initio electronic structure calculations (density functional theory molecular dynamics and coupled electron-ion quantum Monte Carlo) of the equation of state (EOS) of hydrogen in a pressure-temperature regime relevant for simulating the initial phase of an inertial confinement fusion capsule implosion. We find the computed EOS to be quite close to that of the most recent SESAME table (constructed by G. Kerley, 2003). A simple density-dependent but temperature-independent correction brings the 2003-Kerley EOS into excellent agreement with ours in the chosen region of the hydrogen phase diagram. Simulations of fusion ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) with this modified 2003-Kerley table are shown to produce results nearly indistinguishable from those of the 2003-Kerley EOS, which was used to design the capsule. In this sense, we do not expect that further improvements to the hydrogen EOS in this particular regime will impact the capsule design.     

Prediction of the softening and damage effects with permanent set in fibrous biological materials

Deformation induced softening is an inelastic phenomenon frequently accompanying mechanical response of soft biological tissues. Inelastic phenomena which occur in mechanical testing of biological tissues are very likely to be associated with alterations in the internal structure of these materials.In this study, a novel structural constitutive model is formulated to describe the inelastic effects in soft biological tissues such as Mullins type behavior, damage and permanent set as a result of residual strains after unloading. Anisotropic softening is considered by evolution of internal variables governing the anisotropic properties of the material. We consider two weight factors w_i (softening) and s_k (discontinuous damage) as internal variables characterizing the structural state of the material. Numerical simulations of several soft tissues are used to demonstrate the performance of the model in reproducing the inelastic behavior of soft biological tissues.     

Analytical and finite-element study of optimal strain distribution in various beam shapes for energy harvesting applications

Owing to the increasing demand for harvesting energy from environmental vibration for use in self-powered electronic applications, cantilever-based vibration energy harvesting has attracted considerable interest from various parties and has become one of the most common approaches to converting redundant mechanical energy into electrical energy. As the output voltage produced from a piezoelec-tric material depends largely on the geometric shape and the size of the beam, there is a need to model and compare the performance of cantilever beams of differing geometries. This paper presents the study of strain distribution in various shapes of cantilever beams, including a convex and concave edge profile elliptical beam that have not yet been discussed in any prior literature. Both analytical and finite-element models are derived and the resultant strain distributions in the beam are computed based on a MATLAB solver and ANSYS finite-element analysis tools. An optimum geome-try for a vibration-based energy harvesting system is verified. Finally, experimental results comparing the power density for triangular and rectangular piezoelectric beams are also pre-sented to validate the findings of the study, and the claim, as suggested in the literature, is verified.     

The effect of rotation and initial stress on the propagation of waves in a transversely isotropic elastic solid

In this paper the equations governing small amplitude motions in a rotating transversely isotropic initially stressed elastic solid are derived, both for compressible and incompressible linearly elastic materials. The equations are first applied to study the effects of initial stress and rotation on the speed of homogeneous plane waves propagating in a configuration with uniform initial stress. The general forms of the constitutive law, stresses and the elasticity tensor are derived within the finite deformation context and then summarized for the considered transversely isotropic material with initial stress in terms of invariants, following which they are specialized for linear elastic response and, for an incompressible material, to the case of plane strain, which involves considerable simplification. The equations for two-dimensional motions in the considered plane are then applied to the study of Rayleigh waves in a rotating half-space with the initial stress parallel to its boundary and the preferred direction of transverse isotropy either parallel to or normal to the boundary within the sagittal plane. The secular equation governing the wave speed is then derived for a general strain–energy function in the plane strain specialization, which involves only two material parameters. The results are illustrated graphically, first by showing how the wave speed depends on the material parameters and the rotation without specifying the constitutive law and, second, for a simple material model to highlight the effects of the rotation and initial stress on the surface wave speed.     

Physical mechanics calculations for the cohesive energies and elastic constants of alkali-halide crystals

The Gordon-Kim method of calculating the interatomic potentials is modified with corrections to the exchange and dispersion interactions, and the interionic potentials in alkali-halide crystals are calculated from Roothaan-Hartree-Fock ionic wavefunctions. The lattice constants, cohesive energies and elastic constants of NaCl, NaF, NaBr, KCl, KF, KBr, RbCl, RbF and RbBr crystals are evaluated using the calculated interionic potentials. The agreement of the results with the experimental data is good.