On rate-type viscoelasticity and the second law of thermodynamics

We deduce an energy identity which must be satisfied by the smooth solutions of the system of equations governing the dynamics of body with quasilinear rate-type constitutive equation. We give conditions when a unique energy function exists for rate-type viscoelasticity. In the semilinear case we give the conditions when a unique, positive and convex energy function exists and we obtain estimates in energy for the smooth solutions of initial-boundary value problems. A viscoelastic approach to nonlinear elasticity is discussed. Finally, an example shows that the second law of thermodynamics does not imply stability.     

Some energetic properties of smooth solutions in rate-type viscoelasticity

A free energy function compatible with the second law of thermodynamics is constructed for the semilinear rate-type viscoelasticity. Under physically acceptable conditions this energy function is a positive and convex function of stress and strain.

It is shown that for a class of one dimensional initial-boundary value problems, the total energy at any time is bounded by the sum of the total energy of the initial data and the energy supplied to the body by nonvanishing body forces. A Maxwell type viscosity approach to non-linear elasticity for an isolated body is also discussed.

The stability in total energy and uniqueness of the smooth solutions of some initial-boundary value problems is discussed for the one dimensional case as well as for the three dimensional case of small deformations.     

On the analytic expression of the free energy in linear viscoelasticity

Two definitions of free energy for a linear viscoelastic material, due to Graffi and to Coleman and Owen, are considered, and the compatibility of these definitions with some expressions of the free energy proposed in the literature is examined. For the expressions of Staverman and Schwarzl and of Breuer and Onat, the two definitions are proved to be equivalent, and the set of all relaxation functions for which the two expressions are indeed free energies is determined. Two more expressions, proposed by Volterra and Graffi and by Morro and Vianello, are taken into consideration. For them, only the classes of relaxation functions for which they are free energies according to the first definition, is completely characterized. All results are established under regularity assumptions weaker than those usually made in the literature.     

On the longitudinal impact of two phase transforming bars. Elastic versus a rate-type approach. Part II: The rate-type case

We study the propagation of phase transformation fronts induced by the longitudinal impact of two shape memory alloy bars modeled by a general form of a rate-type approach to non-monotone elasticity. We illustrate that such a rate-type law should be seen like a kinetic law for phase transformation. This investigation continues in a comparative way the analysis of the dynamic theory of elastic bar considered in Part I in relation with a viscosity criterion. We focus here on mathematical, thermodynamical and experimental aspects related with the wave structure which accompanies both the forward and reverse transformation. We analyze the propagation of disturbances in a pure phase near and far from their sources, that is the instantaneous waves and the delayed waves as well as the traveling wave solutions and the accompanying dissipation. In the numerical experiments one focuses on the influence of the impact velocity on the way the phase boundary propagates and on the results which can indicate indirectly the existence of a phase transformation like the time of separation, the velocity–time profile at the rear end of the target and the stress history at the impact face.     

On transient waves in linear viscoelasticity

The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of method of the wave-front expansion, also known in the literature as the Buchen–Mainardi algorithm. In particular, many applications of this technique to the fundamental models of both ordinary and fractional linear viscoelasticity are thoroughly presented and discussed.     

On separation of energies in viscoelasticity

Separation of the storaged and dissipated energies in viscoelastic deformation is considered. This is a key problem for the construction of viscoelastic minimum rinciples and for the micromechanics of heterogeneous materials with memory. The notion of the viscoelastic free energy functional is discussed, thermodynamic admissibility conditions are established. An engineering analysis is realized through the method of harmonic strain regimes, influence of the loss and the storage moduli on the dissipation rate is studied. For the Volterra-Frechet integral expansion approach, necessary conditions on the general form of a free energy viscoelastic functional are formulated. The obtained results are used to examine the thermodynamic validity of certain classic viscoelastic models, like that of Staverman-Schwarzl. Through the spectral method, this energy representation is shown to correspond to a generalized Maxwell model.     

On the basic laws of anisotropic viscoelasticity

The main aim of this work is to develop a consistent formulation of the rheological behavior for different anisotropic polymer systems. The unified theory of anisotropic viscoelasticity is developed based on the symmetry principles. The Maxwell rheological equation is extended to nonsymmetric anisotropic liquids. Transitions from the most general anisotropy to particular cases of anisotropy are established. It appears that the coupled relaxation of symmetric and antisymmetric stresses is a natural phenomenon in nonsymmetric viscoelasticity. Within the concept of an internal state variable, a stress–order relation is derived for a fully nonlinear case. The order tensor dynamics is also considered. A simple method of deriving the equation of the internal rotational motion is developed for the general macroscopic anisotropy. This paper was presented at the 3rd Annual Rheology Conference, AERC 2006, April 27–29, 2006, Crete, Greece     

On the solutions in the linear theory of micropolar viscoelasticity

In the present paper the linear theory of micropolar viscoelasticity is considered. The explicit expression of fundamental solution of the system of equations of steady vibrations is constructed by means of elementary functions and its basic properties are established. The Green's formulas in the considered theory are obtained. The formulas of integral representations of Somigliana-type of regular vector and regular (classical) solution are presented. The representation formulas of Galerkin-type solution of the system of nonhomogeneous equations and of the general solution of the system of homogeneous equations by means of eight metaharmonic functions are presented. The completeness of these solutions is proved.     

On the admissibility criteria for linear viscoelasticity kernels

In a series of recent papers, the discrepancy of the admissibility requirements currently in use for linear viscoelasticity was noted, between the ones associated with the kernels of linear integral models and the ones resulting from the spring-dashpot representation. It is shown here that additional criteria can be obtained from the fading memory principle which completely remove the observed discrepancies between these two different representations.     

Effects of viscoelasticity on the stability and bifurcations of nonlinear energy sinks

Due to the increasing use of passive absorbers to control unwanted vibrations,many studies have been done on energy absorbers ideally, but the lack of studies of real environmental conditions on these absorbers is felt. The present work investigates the effect of viscoelasticity on the stability and bifurcations of a system attached to a nonlinear energy sink(NES). In this paper, the Burgers model is assumed for the viscoelasticity in an NES, and a linear oscillator system is considered for inve...