On the connections between the functionals of equivalent variational principles

It is proved in this paper that the functionals of equivalent variational principles are different essentially only in terms of weighted residues. Consequently, the simplest method for constructing equivalent variational principles is to add weighted residues to known functionals as first used by Courant [4].     

On the variational principles in linear elastodynamics

A new approach is proposed for the systematic derivation of varïous variational principles in linear elastodynamics. Based on an important integral relation in terms of convolutions given by the authors, the new approach can be used to derive the complementary functionals for the five-field, four-field, three-field, two-field and one-field variational principles more simply and directly. Furthermore, with this approach, it is possible not only to derive the variational principles given by Herrera and Bielak, Oden and Reddy, but also to develop new more general variational principles. And the intrinsic relationship among various principles can be explained clearly.     

Mixed variational principle in elasticity theory and canonical systems of equations

The paper proposes a modification of the mixed variational principle from which stationarity conditions are derived in the form of a mixed system of equations resolved for the first derivatives of the displacement and stress components acting in a plane perpendicular to one of the coordinate axes. The variational principle allows decreasing the dimension of the problem of elasticity thus reducing the system of equations to a canonical form. The modified mixed principle helps immediately obtain a canonical system of equations for various applied theories. This possibility is demonstrated with the example of the Timoshenko theory of plates __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 43, No. 5, pp. 55–62, May 2007.     

On a representation of the solution of the linear elasticity equations

A new representation of the stress tensor in the linear theory of elasticity is proposed. The representation satisfies the equilibrium equations and the compatibility conditions for strains. In this representation, the stress tensor is expressed in terms of a harmonic vector. The second boundary-value problem for an elastic half-space and elastic layer is considered as an example.Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 40, No. 11, pp. 85–91, November 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

The mutual variational principle of free wave propagation in periodic structures

By taking infinite periodic beams as examples, the mutual variational principle for analyzing the free wave propagation in periodic structures is established and demonstrated through the use of the propagation constant in the present paper, and the corresponding hierarchical finite element formulation is then derived. Thus, it provides the numerical analysis of that problem with a firm theoretical basis of variational principles, with which one may conveniently illustrate the mathematical and physical mechanisms of the wave propagation in periodic structures and the relationship with the natural vibration. The solution is discussed and examples are given. Supported by Doctorate Training Fund of National Education Commission of China     

Energy principles in theory of elastic materials with voids

According to the basic idea of dual-complementarity, in a simple and unified way proposed by the author^[1], various energy principles in theory of elastic materials with voids can be established systematically. In this paper, an important integral relation is given, which can be considered essentially as the generalized pr. inciple of virtual work. Based on this relation, it is possible not only to obtain the principle of virtual work and the reciprocal theorem of work in theory of elastic materials with voids, but also to derive systematically the complementary functionals for the eight-field, six-field, four-field and two-field generalized variational principles, and the principle of minimum potential and complementary energies. Furthermore, with this appro ach, the intrinsic relationship among various principles can be explained clearly. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Microdamage of a nonlinear elastic material in combined stress state

The structural theory of short-term damage is used to study the coupled processes of deformation and microdamage of a physically nonlinear material in a combined stress state. The basis for the analysis is the stochastic elasticity equations for a physically nonlinear porous medium. Damage in a microvolume of the material is assumed to occur in accordance with the Huber-Mises failure criterion. The balance equation for damaged microvolumes is derived and added to the macrostress-macrostrain relations to produce a closed-form system of equations. It describes the coupled processes of nonlinear deformation and microdamage of the porous material. Algorithms are developed for calculating the dependence of microdamage on macrostresses and macrostrains and plotting stress-strain curves for a homogeneous material under either biaxial normal loading or combined normal and tangential loading. The plots are analyzed depending on the type of stress state __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 11, pp. 30–39, November 2006.     

On some basic principles in dynamic theory of elastic materials with voids

According to the basic idea of dual-complementarity, in a simple and unified way proposed by the author^[1], some basic principles in dynamic theory of elastic materials with voids can be established systematically. In this paper, an important integral relation in terms of convolutions is given, which can be considered as the generalized principle of virtual work in mechanics. Based on this relation, it is possible not only to obtain the principle of virtual work and the reciprocal theorem in dynamic theory of elastic materials with voids, but also to derive systematically the complementary functionals for the eight-field, six-field, four-field and two-field simplified Gurtin-type variational principles. Furthermore, with this approach, the intrinsic relationship among various principles can be explained clearly. The project supported by the Foundation of Zhongshan University Advanced Research Center     

A combined first principles and analytical determination of the modulus of cohesion,surface energy,and the additional constants in the second strain gradient elasticity

Mindlin’s (1965) second strain gradient theory due to its competency in capturing the effects of edges, corners, and surfaces is of particular interest. Formulation in this framework, in addition to the usual Lamé constants, requires the knowledge of sixteen additional materials constants. To date, there are no successful experimental techniques for measuring these material parameters which reflect the discrete nature of matter. The present work gives an accurate remedy for the atomistic calculations of these parameters by utilizing the first principles density functional theory (DFT) for the calculations of the atomic force constants combined with an analytical formulation. It will be shown that writing the consistency conditions obtained from the equivalency between the atomistic crystal lattice dynamics of the bulk material and its counterpart in the second strain gradient elasticity is insufficient for the calculations of all the additional constants. As it will be discussed, there are two missing conditions which are then provided by consideration of the free standing film problem that bring the surface effect into account. As a consequence of surface effect consideration, the modulus of cohesion which is one of the important additional constants is calculated. Moreover, an analytical expression for the surface energy in terms of the modulus of cohesion, Lamé constants, materials characteristic lengths, and the film thickness is presented. If the film thickness is much bigger than the magnitude of the characteristic lengths of the material, then the surface energy would no longer depend on the film thickness.     

A mixed problem of plane elasticity for a domain with partially unknown boundary

The paper addresses a problem of plane elasticity for a doubly connected body with outer and inner boundaries in the form of regular polygons with a common center and parallel sides. The neighborhoods of the vertices of the inner boundary are unknown equal full-strength smooth arcs symmetric about the rays coming from the vertices to the center. It is assumed that this elastic body is inserted into a hole of a rigid body, with the hole boundary coinciding with the outer boundary of the elastic body. Absolutely smooth rigid punches with rectilinear bases are pressed into all the rectilinear sections of the inner polygonal boundary of the elastic body. There is no friction between the elastic and rigid bodies. The unknown arcs are free from external stresses. Complex variable theory is used to determine the unknown arcs and the stress state of the elastic body __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 110–118, March 2006.     

The scattered energy around a circular hole by SH wave in anisotropic media

A new approach based on complex function for solving the SH-wave scattering problem around a circular hole in an anisotropic media is desribed in this paper. It is found that the scattered energy depends on the incident wave number and the hole radius. Finally, some numerical results of scattered energy of a circular hole in an anisotropic media are given.The project has been supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

The Stress State of Three-Dimensional Bodies with Nonsmooth Inclusions

The stress state of a three-dimensional body with inclusions bounded by surfaces with singular lines (sets of corner points) and a conical point is studied. By determining the asymptotics of displacements and stresses at the singularities of interfaces and using the generalized elastic potentials of single and double layers, the problem posed is reduced to a system of singular integral equations. The results obtained are used to analyze the stress state of a body with a circular conical inclusion