Unified formulae of variational bounds for multiphase anisotropic elastic composites

Using the spherical and deviator decomposition of the polarization and strain tensors, we present a general algorithm for the calculation of variational bounds of dimension d for any type of anisotropic linear elastic composite as a function of the properties of the comparison body. This procedure is applied in order to obtain analytical expressions of bounds for multiphase, linear elastic composites with cubic symmetry where the geometric shapes of the inclusions are arbitrary. For the validation, it can be proved that for the isotropic particular case, the bounds coincide with those recently reported by Gibiansky and Sigmund. On the other hand, based on this general procedure some, classical bounds reported by Hashin for transversely isotropic composites, are reproduced. Numerical calculations and some comparisons with other models and experimental data are shown.     

Estimation of very narrow bounds to the behavior of nonlinear incompressible elastic composites

Variational bounds for the effective behavior of nonlinear composites are improved by incorporating more-detailed morphological information. Such bounds, which are obtained from the generalized Hashin–Shtrikman variational principles, make use of a reference material with the same microstructure as the nonlinear composite. The geometrical information is contained in the effective properties of the reference material, which are explicitly present in the analytical formulae of the nonlinear bounds. In this paper, the variational approach is combined with estimates for the effective properties of the reference composite via the asymptotic homogenization method (AHM), and applied to a hexagonally periodic fiber-reinforced incompressible nonlinear elastic composite, significantly improving some recent results.     

Evaluation of Green’s function for vertical point-load excitation applied to the surface of a layered semi-infinite elastic medium

The topic of this paper is to show that the integrals of infinite extent representing the surface displacements of a layered half-space loaded by a harmonic, vertical point load can be reduced to integrals with finite integration range. The displacements are first expressed through wave potentials and the Hankel integral transform in the radial coordinate is applied to the governing equations and boundary conditions, leading to the solutions in the transformed domain. After the application of the inverse Hankel transform it is shown that the inversion integrands are symmetric/antimetric in the transformation parameter and that this characteristic is preserved for any number of layers. Based on this fact the infinite inversion integrals are reduced to integrals with finite range by choosing the suitable representation of the Bessel function and use of the fundamental rules of contour integration, permitting simpler analytical or numerical evaluation. A numerical example is presented and the results are compared to those obtained by the CLASSI program.     

Solving the elastic bending problem for a plate with mixed boundary conditions

The bending problem for an arbitrarily outlined thin plane with mixed boundary conditions is solved. A technique based on the methods of potentials and balancing loads is proposed for constructing Green’s function for the Germain-Lagrange equation. This technique ensures high accuracy of approximate solutions, which is checked against Levi’s solution for rectangular plates __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 104–112, May 2006.     

Dynamic interaction of a pile with a transversely isotropic elastic half-space under transverse excitations

This investigation is concerned with a mathematical analysis of an elastic circular cylindrical pile embedded in a transversely isotropic half-space under lateral dynamic excitations. A combination of time-harmonic horizontal shear force and moment are applied at the top end of the pile. The boundary value problem is formulated by decomposing the pile-medium system into a fictitious pile and an extended transversely isotropic half-space. A Fredholm integral equation of the second kind governs the interaction problem, whose solution is then computed numerically. Selected results for dynamic compliance bending moment, displacement and slope profiles are presented for different transversely isotropic half-spaces to portray the influence of degree of anisotropy of the medium on various aspects of the solution.     

Explicit expression of derivatives of elastic Green’s functions for general anisotropic materials

The analytical expressions of Green’s function and their derivatives for three-dimensional anisotropic materials are presented here. By following the Fourier integral solutions developed by Barnett [Phys. Stat. Sol. (b) 49 (1972) 741], we characterize the contour integral formulations for the derivatives into three types of integrals H, M, and N. With Cauchy’s residues theorem and the roots of a sextic equation from Stroh eigenrelation, these integrals can be solved explicitly in terms of the Stroh eigenvalues P_i (i=1,2,3) on the oblique plane whose normal is the position vector. The results of Green’s functions and stress distributions for a transversely isotropic material are discussed in this paper.     

Analysis of Lattices with Non-linear Interphases

Anti-plane deformation of square lattices containing interphases is analyzed. It is assumed that lattices are linear elastic but not necessarily isotropic, whereas interphases exhibit non-linear elastic behavior. It is demonstrated that such problems can be treated effectively using Green’s functions, which allow to eliminate the degrees of freedom outside of the interphase. Illustrative numerical examples focus on the determination of applied stresses leading to lattice instability.     

Exact solution of external tangential contact problem for a transversely isotropic elastic half-space

Summary  The following mixed boundary-value problem for a transversely isotropic elastic half-space is considered. Arbitrary tangential displacements are prescribed at the exterior of a circle, while the interior of the circle is free of tangential stress, and the normal stress vanishes all over the boundary. The governing integral equation is solved exactly, in closed form, and in terms of elementary functions. The method of continuation of solutions previously published by the author has been used here. Several examples are considered. No similar results has been reported before, even in the case of an isotropic body. Received 8 May 2000; accepted for publication 20 July 2000     

The effective elastic moduli of columnar composites made of cylindrically anisotropic phases with rough interfaces

The present work aims to determine the effective elastic moduli of a composite having a columnar microstructure and made of two cylindrically anisotropic phases perfectly bonded at their interface oscillating quickly and periodically along the circular circumferential direction. To achieve this objective, a two-scale homogenization method is elaborated. First, the micro-to-meso upscaling is carried out by applying an asymptotic analysis, and the zone in which the interface oscillates is correspondingly homogenized as an equivalent interphase whose elastic properties are analytically and exactly determined. Second, the meso-to-macro upscaling is accomplished by using the composite cylinder assemblage model, and closed-form solutions are derived for the effective elastic moduli of the composite. Two important cases in which rough interfaces exhibit comb and saw-tooth profiles are studied in detail. The analytical results given by the two-scale homogenization procedure are shown to agree well with the numerical ones provided by the finite element method and to verify the universal relations existing between the effective elastic moduli of a two-phase columnar composite.     

Collision of an elastic finite-length cylinder with a rigid barrier

The paper proposes an approximate solution describing a collision of an elastic finite-length cylinder with a rigid barrier when the lateral boundary conditions of the first fundamental problem of elasticity are satisfied. A finite-difference approach with respect to time and the integral transform method are used to reduce the original initial-boundary-value problem to a one-dimensional one. It is solved using the matrix Green’s function. The final expressions for displacements are obtained by solving a singular integral equation by the orthogonal-polynomial method. The values of displacements and strains are analyzed for short periods of time __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 9, pp. 74–82, September 2007.     

Positive solutions to （n-1,1） m-point boundary value problems with dependence on the first order derivative

Using the extension of Krasnoselskii＇s fixed point theorem in a cone, we prove the existence of at least one positive solution to the nonlinear nth order m-point boundary value problem with dependence on the first order derivative. The associated Green＇s function for the nth order m-point boundary value problem is given, and growth conditions are imposed on the nonlinear term f which ensures the existence of at least one positive solution. A simple example is presented to illustrate applications of the obtained results.     

Inclusion of an arbitrary polygon with graded eigenstrain in an anisotropic piezoelectric half plane

This paper presents an exact closed-form solution for the Eshelby problem of a polygonal inclusion with graded eigenstrains in an anisotropic piezoelectric half plane with traction-free on its surface. Using the line-source Green’s function, the line integral is carried out analytically for the linear eigenstrain case, with the final expression involving only elementary functions. The solutions are applied to the semiconductor quantum wire (QWR) of square, triangular, and rectangular shapes, with results clearly illustrating various influencing factors on the induced fields. The exact closed-form solution should be useful to the analysis of nanoscale QWR structures where large strain and electric fields could be induced by the non-uniform misfit strain.     

Green’s functions for bending problem of a thin anisotropic plate with an elliptic hole

The Green’s functions have not been studied in open literatures for the bending problem of an anisotropic plate with an elliptic hole subjected to a normal concentrated force and a concentrated moment. In this paper, the problem is investigated and the Green’s functions are first obtained by using the complex potential approach. The techniques of conformal mapping transformation and analytic continuation are used to derive the closed-form complex stress functions. The Green’s functions obtained have some potential applications in the analysis of composite structures such as the modification of the displacement compatibility model for notched stiffened composite panels and the formulation of a new method for interlaminar stress analysis around holes of laminates.     

Propagation of longitudinal elastic waves in composites with a random set of spherical inclusions (effective field approach)

The work is devoted to the problem of plane monochromatic longitudinal wave propagation through a homogeneous elastic medium with a random set of spherical inclusions. The effective field method and quasicrystalline approximation are used for the calculation of the phase velocity and attenuation factor of the mean (coherent) wave field in the composite. The hypotheses of the method reduce the diffraction problem for many inclusions to a diffraction problem for one inclusion and, finally, allow for the derivation of the dispersion equation for the wave vector of the mean wave field in the composite. This dispersion equation serves for all frequencies of the incident field, properties and volume concentrations of inclusions. The long and short wave asymptotics of the solution of the dispersion equation are found in closed analytical forms. Numerical solutions of this equation are constructed in a wide region of frequencies of the incident field that covers long, middle, and short wave regions of propagating waves. The phase velocities and attenuation factors of the mean wave field are calculated for various elastic properties, density, and volume concentrations of the inclusions. Comparisons of the predictions of the method with some experimental data are presented; possible errors of the method are indicated and discussed.     

Stress state of an orthotropic material with an elliptic crack under linearly varying pressure

The static equilibrium of an elastic orthotropic medium with an elliptic crack subject, on its surface, to linearly varying pressure is studied. The stress state of the elastic medium is represented as a superposition of the principal and perturbed states. Use is made of Willis’ approach based on the triple Fourier transform in spatial variables, the Fourier-transformed Green’s function for an anisotropic material, and Cauchy’s residue theorem. The contour integrals are evaluated using Gaussian quadratures. The results for particular cases are compared with those obtained by other authors. The influence of orthotropy on the stress intensity factors is studied __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 7, pp. 73–81, July 2006.     

Exterior statistics based boundary conditions for representative volume elements of elastic composites

Statistically equivalent representative volume elements or SERVEs are representations of the microstructure that are used for micromechanical simulations to generate homogenized material constitutive responses and properties (Swaminathan et al., 2006a, Ghosh, 2011). Typically, a SERVE is generated from the parent microstructure as a statistically equivalent region, whose size is determined from the requirements of convergence of macroscopic properties. Standard boundary conditions, such as affine transformation-based displacement boundary conditions (ATDBCs), uniform traction boundary conditions (UTBCs) or periodic boundary conditions (PBCs) are conventionally applied on the SERVE boundary for micromechanical simulations. However, when the microstructure is characterized by arbitrary, nonuniform distributions of heterogeneities, these simple boundary conditions do not represent the effect of regions exterior to the SERVE. Improper boundary conditions can result in significantly larger than optimal SERVE domains, needed for converged properties. In an attempt to overcome the limitations of the conventional boundary conditions on the SERVE, this paper explores the effect of boundary conditions that incorporate the statistics of the exterior region on the SERVE of elastic composites. Using Green's function based interaction kernels, coupled with statistical functions of the microstructural characteristics like one-point and two-point correlation functions, a novel exterior statistics-based boundary condition or ESBC is derived for the SERVE. The advantages of the ESBC are established by comparing with results of simulations using conventional boundary conditions. Results of the SERVE simulations subjected to ESBCs are also compared with those from other popular methods like statistical volume element (SVE) and weighted statistical volume element (WSVE). The proposed ESBCs offer significant advantages over other methods in the SERVE-based analysis of heterogeneous materials.     

Statics of nonlinear elastic cable-stayed systems with slipping flexible cables

A design model is proposed to describe spatial cable-stayed systems with slipping cables. The basic variables of the displacement method are selected. A system of nonlinear equilibrium equations is derived from the condition of minimum potential energy, taking into account the large displacements of joints and the large deformations of cables. A method and formulas needed to iteratively solve the system of nonlinear equations are presented. Individual consideration is given to a cable net with prescribed tension. The computed results make it possible to fabricate and mark out cable rods and to assemble cable nets based on their geometry alone, without the need for force measurement __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 79–87, May 2006.     

Recent investigations on dynamic problems for an elastic body with initial (residual) stresses (review)

Recent investigations of dynamic problems for bodies with initial stresses are reviewed. These are investigations carried out over the last six years using the piecewise-homogeneous body model and the three-dimensional linearized theory of elastic waves in initially stressed bodies. Emphasis is on the investigations performed by the author and his students. The research studies on the wave propagation and dynamic time-harmonic stress-state problems are reviewed separately. The areas for further investigations are pointed out Published in Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 12, pp. 3–27, December 2007.     

Quadratically nonlinear torsional hyperelastic waves in a transversely isotropic cylinder: Primary analysis of evolution

Nonlinear torsional waves propagating along an infinite transversely isotropic cylinder are considered. The hyperelasticity of the cylinder is described by Guz’s generalization of the Murnaghan potential to quasi-isotropic materials. The evolution of the initial waveprofile in cylinders made of composite materials reinforced with micro-and nanoscale fibers is modeled numerically. It is shown that the transverse isotropy of this class of composites has a weak effect on the wave phenomena accompanying the propagation of a torsional wave. Three-dimensional plots of evolution are presented __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 32–44, May 2008.