Deformation Driven Homogenization of Fracturing Solids

The paper discusses numerical formulations of the homogenization for solids with discrete crack development. We focus on multi–phase microstructures of heterogeneous materials, where fracture occurs in the form of debonding mechanisms as well as matrix cracking. The definition of overall properties critically depends on the developing discontinuities. To this end, we extend continuous formulations [1] to microstructures with discontinuities [2]. The basic underlying structure is a canonical variational formulation in the fully nonlinear range based on incremental energy minimization. We develop algorithms for numerical homogenization of fracturing solids in a deformation–driven context with non–trivial formulations of boundary conditions for (i) linear deformation and (ii) uniform tractions. The overall response of composite materials with fracturing microstructures are investigated. As a key result, we show the significance of the proposed non–trivial formulation of a traction–type boundary condition in the deformation–driven context. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Weak solutions of the Vlasov–Poisson initial boundary value problem

This paper deals with existence results for a Vlasov-Poisson system, equipped with an absorbing-type law for the Vlasov equation and a Dirichlet-type boundary condition for the Poisson part. Using the ideas of Lions and Perthame [21], we prove the existence of a weak solution having good L^p estimates for moment and electric field, by a good control on the higher moments of the initial data. As an application, we establish a homogenization result in the Hilbertian framework for this type of problem in non-homogeneous media, following the work by Alexandre and Hamdache [2] for general kinetic equations, and Cioranescu and Mural [11] for the Laplace problem.     

Micro-Electro-Elastic Modeling of Electric Field- and Stress-Driven Domain Wall Motion

Recently, increasing interest in functional materials such as piezoceramics has been shown. Such materials are characterized by properties, which can be significantly changed by external stimuli, such as stress, electric or magnetic fields. We outline a micro-electro-elastic model for the evolution of electrically and mechanically poled domains incorporating the surrounding free space. To this end, recently developed incremental variational principles (Miehe & Rosato [1]) for local dissipative response need to be extended to gradient-type phase-field models, including an embedding into the free space. The variational setting serves as a natural starting point for a compact and symmetric finite element implementation, considering the mechanical displacement, the electric polarization treated as an order parameter, and the electric potential induced by the polarization as the primary variables. The latter is defined on both the solid domain as well as the surrounding free space. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Action functional and quasi‐potential for the burgers equation in a bounded interval

Consider the viscous Burgers equation u_t + f(u)_x = εu_xx on the interval [0,1] with the inhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions u(t,0) = ρ₀, u(t,1) = ρ₁. The flux f is the function f(u) = u(1 − u), ε > 0 is the viscosity, and the boundary data satisfy 0 < ρ₀ < ρ₁ < 1. We examine the quasi‐potential corresponding to an action functional arising from nonequilibrium statistical mechanical models associated with the above equation. We provide a static variational formula for the quasi‐potential and characterize the optimal paths for the dynamical problem. In contrast with previous cases, for small enough viscosity, the variational problem defining the quasi‐potential admits more than one minimizer. This phenomenon is interpreted as a nonequilibrium phase transition and corresponds to points where the superdifferential of the quasi‐potential is not a singleton. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

On Variational Based Scale-Bridging of Inelastic Composites

The paper discusses formulations for the theoretical and numerical analysis of inelastic composites with scale separation. The basic underlying structure is a canonical variational setting in the fully nonlinear range based on incremental energy minimization. We focus on formulations of strain–driven homogenization for representative composite aggregates with emphasis on the development of canonical families of algorithms based on Lagrange and penalty functionals to cover alternative boundary constraints of (i.) linear deformations, (ii.) periodic deformations and (iii.) uniform tractions. As a key result, we present a compact matrix formulation for homogenization covering introduced alternative boundary constraints. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Computational Homogenization in Micro-Magneto-Elasticity

The overall macroscopic response of magneto-mechanically coupled materials stems from complex magnetization evolution and corresponding domain wall motion occurring on a lower length scale. In order to account for such effects we propose a computational homogenization approach that incorporates a ferromagnetic phase-field formulation into a macroscopic Boltzmann continuum. This scale-bridging is obtained by rigorous definition of rate-type and incremental variational principles. An extended version of the classical Hill-Mandel macro-homogeneity condition is obtained as a consequence. In order to satisfy the unity constraint of the magnetization on the micro-scale, an efficient operator-split method is proposed. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Partial solution for an open question on pseudomonotone variational inequalities

This article gives a partial solution for the open question raised by Nguyen Thanh Hao [Tikhonov regularization algorithm for pseudomonotone variational inequalities, Acta Math. Vietnam., 31 (2006), 283–289] about uniqueness of the solution of the regularized problem VI(K,?F _?) of a pseudomonotone variational inequality VI(K,?F) for sufficiently small parameter ??>?0. It is proved that, under certain additional assumptions, the desired solution uniqueness holds for some classes of pseudoaffine variational inequalities and pseudomonotone variational inequalities.     

Advanced Shell Element Formulations for Coupled Electromechanical Systems

With the significantly increasing applications of smart structures, piezoelectric material is widely used in branches of engineering sciences. Normally, the Finite Element Method is employed in the numerical analysis of these structures [2]. In this contribution, in order to avoid the locking effects and zero energy modes, the Assumed Natural Strain (ANS) Method [4] is implemented into four‐node piezoelectric shallow shell elements, by using the two‐field variational formulation in which displacements and electric potentials serve as independent variables and the three‐field variational formulation in which the dielectric displacement is taken as an independent variable additionally [3]. Moreover, a quadratic variation of the electric potential through the thickness direction is applied in the two‐field formulation. Numerical examples of piezoelectric sensors and actuators are presented, showing the behaviour of the shell elements by using different hybrid finite element formulations. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Averaging regularity results for PDEs under transversality assumptions

Let u = u(x,y) and f = f(x,y) be two functions related by a PDE P(x,y,D_x,D_y)u = f; the regularity of the y-average ∫ u(x,·)dy as a function of x is investigated knowing that of u and f. Our method consists in reducing P to a microlocal normal form under a natural transversality assumption. The 2-microlocal regularity of u is also determined knowing that of f. These results are then applied to a homogenization problem. This article generalizes the results of [16] and [12] on velocity averaging and homogenization for kinetic equations.     

A mixed finite element formulation for piezoelectric shells

A finite element formulation to analyze piezoelectric shell problems is presented. A reference surface of the shell is modelled with a four node element. Each node possesses six mechanical degrees of freedom, three displacements and three rotations, and one electric degree of freedom, which is the difference of the electric potential in thickness direction. The formulation is based on the mixed field variational principle of Hu-Washizu. The independent fields are displacements u , electric potential φ, strains E , electric field E , stresses S and dielectric displacements D . The mixed formulation allows an interpolation of the strains and the electric field in thickness direction. Accordingly a three-dimensional material law is incorporated in the variational formulation. It is remarked that no simplification regarding the constitutive law is assumed. The formulation allows the consideration of arbitrary constitutive relations. The normal zero stress condition and the normal zero dielectric displacement condition are enforced by the independent stress and dielectric displacement fields. They are defined as zero in thickness direction. The present shell element fulfills the important patch tests: the in-plane, bending and shear test. Some numerical examples demonstrate the applicability of the present piezoelectric shell element. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

White noise driven quasilinear SPDEs with reflection

Summary We study reflected solutions of the heat equation on the spatial interval [0, 1] with Dirichlet boundary conditions, driven by an additive space-time white noise. Roughly speaking, at any point (x, t) where the solutionu(x, t) is strictly positive it obeys the equation, and at a point (x, t) whereu(x, t) is zero we add a force in order to prevent it from becoming negative. This can be viewed as an extension both of one-dimensional SDEs reflected at 0, and of deterministic variational inequalities. An existence and uniqueness result is proved, which relies heavily on new results for a deterministic variational inequality.INRIAPartially supported by DRET under contract 901636/A000/DRET/DS/SR     

Multi-Duality in Minimal Surface—Type Problems

The multi-duality of the nonlinear variational problem inf J(u, Λu) is studied for minimal surfaces-type problems. By using the method developed by Gao and Strang [1], the Fenchel-Rockafellar's duality theory is generalized to the problems with affine operator Λ. Two dual variational principles are established for nonparametric surfaces with constant mean curvature. We show that for the same primal problem, there may exist different dual problems. The primal problem may or may not possess a solution, whereas each dual problem possesses a unique solution. An evolutionary method for solving the nonlinear optimal-shape design problem is presented with numerical results.     

Uncertainty quantification for random parabolic equations with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions on a bounded domain via the approximation of the probability density function

This paper deals with the randomized heat equation defined on a general bounded interval [L₁, L₂] and with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions. The solution is a stochastic process that can be related, via changes of variable, with the solution stochastic process of the random heat equation defined on [0,1] with homogeneous boundary conditions. Results in the extant literature establish conditions under which the probability density function of the solution process to the random heat equation on [0,1] with homogeneous boundary conditions can be approximated. Via the changes of variable and the Random Variable Transformation technique, we set mild conditions under which the probability density function of the solution process to the random heat equation on a general bounded interval [L₁, L₂] and with nonhomogeneous boundary conditions can be approximated uniformly or pointwise. Furthermore, we provide sufficient conditions in order that the expectation and the variance of the solution stochastic process can be computed from the proposed approximations of the probability density function. Numerical examples are performed in the case that the initial condition process has a certain Karhunen‐Loève expansion, being Gaussian and non‐Gaussian.     

Optimal feedback control for constrained mechanical systems

An approach to minimize the control costs and ensuring a stable deviation control is the Riccati controller and we want to use it to control constrained dynamical systems (differential algebraic equations of Index 3). To describe their discrete dynamics, a constrained variational integrators [1] is used. Using a discrete version of the Lagrange-d’Alembert principle yields a forced constrained discrete Euler-Lagrange equation in a position-momentum form that depends on the current and future time steps [2]. The desired optimal trajectory (q_opt, p_opt) and according control input u_opt is determined solving the discrete mechanics and optimal control (DMOC) algorithm [3] based on the variational integrator. Then, during time stepping of the perturbed system, the discrete Riccati equation yields the optimal deviation control input u_R. Adding u_opt and u_R to the discrete Euler-Lagrange equation causes a structure preserving trajectory as both DMOC and Riccati equations are based on the same variational integrator. Furthermore, coordinate transformations are implemented (minimal, redundant and nullspace) enabling the choice of different coordinates in the feedback loop and in the optimal control problem. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Maximum Principles for Boundary-Degenerate Second Order Linear Elliptic Differential Operators

We prove weak and strong maximum principles, including a Hopf lemma, for C ² subsolutions to equations defined by linear, second-order, linear, elliptic partial differential operators whose principal symbols vanish along a portion of the domain boundary. The boundary regularity property of the C ² subsolutions along this boundary vanishing locus ensures that these maximum principles hold irrespective of the sign of the Fichera function. Boundary conditions need only be prescribed on the complement in the domain boundary of the principal symbol's vanishing locus. We obtain uniqueness and a priori maximum principle estimates for C ² solutions to boundary value and obstacle problems defined by these boundary-degenerate elliptic operators with partial Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions. We also prove weak maximum principles and uniqueness for W ^{1, 2} solutions to the corresponding variational equations and inequalities defined with the aide of weighted Sobolev spaces. The domain is allowed to be unbounded when the operator coefficients and solutions obey certain growth conditions.     

Obtaining Cosserat material parameters by homogenization of a Cauchy continuum

An increasing importance of composites with sandwich architecture and fibre-reinforced components is recognizable especially in aerospace and light weight industry. Due to the inner structure such materials often exhibit a complex behavior. If the ratio of micro- and macroscopic length scales, l and L, violates the condition l/L ≪ 1, a higher order continuum should be used to describe the macroscopic material behavior correctly. The numerical simulation requires reliable material constants, for which the experimental determination is laborious and sometimes impossible. Alternatively homogenization methods can be used for the numerical identification of overall material parameters. A short introduction to the linear Cosserat theory is followed by an extended homogenization procedure to derive the macroscopic material constants of a linear Cosserat continuum. The parameters obtained with a heterogeneous cell are used to simulate different bending load cases. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Characterization of locally connected continua in Euclidean spaces

We prove that, for any locally connected bounded continuum in the Euclidean space E ⁿ ,n2, there exists a sequence of imbeddings of the segment [0, 1] into E ⁿ uniformly convergent to a continuous mapping of [0, 1] onto this continuum.Translated from Ukrainskii Matematicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 47, No. 8, pp. 1080–1088, August, 1995.     

Variational principles for a class of boundary value problems

A variational formulation is developed for boundary value problems described by operator equations ( + ^*)h=w(h) in some region V, subject to b(h) = 0 on the boundary of V.