Phase transitions and hysteresis in nonlocal and order-parameter models

The paper describes two types of regularization to the basic quasistatic double-well potential problem in one space dimension. One model features a spatially nonlocal term while the other incorporates the use of an order parameter. Some basic existence and regularity results for these modified models are derived and some numerical calculations that show hysteresis and motion of phase boundaries are presented.

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Sommario Il lavoro descrive due tipi di regolarizzazione del problema quasistatico per un potenziale con due minimi in una dimensione. Un modello evidenzia caratteri di non località spaziale, mentre l'altro conduce ad una teoria con parametro d'ordine. Si derivano alcuni risultati di esistenza e regolarità e si presentano alcuni studi numerici che mostrano l'isteresi e il moto delle frontiere tra le fasi.

     

Static and dynamic snap-through behaviour of an elastic spherical shell

The deformation and snap-through behaviour of athin-walled elastic spherical shell statically compressed on aflat surface or impacted against a flat surface are studied theoretically and numerically in order to estimate the influenceof the dynamic effects on the response.A table tennis ballis considered as an example of a thin-walled elastic shell.Itis shown that the increase of the impact velocity leads to avariation of the deformed shape thus resulting in larger deformation energy.The increase of the contact force is causedby both the increased contribution of the inertia forces andcontribution of the increased deformation energy.The contact force resulted from deformation/inertia ofthe ball and the shape of the deformed region are calculated by the proposed theoretical models and compared withthe results from both the finite element analysis and somepreviously obtained experimental data.Good agreement isdemonstrated.     

Static and dynamic response of elastic suspended cables with damage

In cable-stayed structures cables are subjected to potential damage, mainly due to fatigue and galvanic corrosion. The paper presents an analysis of damage effects on the statics and dynamics of suspended cables. An elastic continuous monodimensional model for damaged cables, including geometric nonlinearities, is formulated for the purpose. The damage is described as a diffused reduction of the cable axial stiffness, and defined through its intensity, extent and position. Exact solutions of the equations governing the cable static equilibrium under self-weight are achieved, and the significance of the tension loss and sag augmentation resulting from damage are investigated under variation of practically significant parameters. The system spectral properties characterizing the free undamped dynamics are obtained in a closed-form fashion for shallow cables within the low frequency range. The sensitivity of the frequencies to the intensity and extent of damage is discussed, outlining two damage effects, which alternatively stiffen or soften the cable modes, whose respective static and geometric origin is recognized. Finally, the symmetry-breaking induced by damage on the static profile is verified to destroy the crossing phenomenon (crossover) characterizing the frequency loci of undamaged cables, which degenerates into a narrow frequency veering phenomenon.     

Static, stability and dynamic analysis of gradient elastic flexural Kirchhoff plates

The governing equation of motion of gradient elastic flexural Kirchhoff plates, including the effect of in-plane constant forces on bending, is explicitly derived. This is accomplished by appropriately combining the equations of flexural motion in terms of moments, shear and in-plane forces, the moment–stress relations and the stress–strain equations of a simple strain gradient elastic theory with just one constant (the internal length squared), in addition to the two classical elastic moduli. The resulting partial differential equation in terms of the lateral deflection of the plate is of the sixth order instead of the fourth, which is the case for the classical elastic case. Three boundary value problems dealing with static, stability and dynamic analysis of a rectangular simply supported all-around gradient elastic flexural plate are solved analytically. Non-classical boundary conditions, in additional to the classical ones, have to be utilized. An assessment of the effect of the gradient coefficient on the static or dynamic response of the plate, its buckling load and natural frequencies is also made by comparing the gradient type of solutions against the classical ones.     

First order models and closure of the mass conservation equation in the mathematical theory of vehicular traffic flow

This article deals with a review and critical analysis of first order hydrodynamic models of vehicular traffic flow obtained by the closure of the mass conservation equation. The closure is obtained by phenomenological models suitable to relate the local mean velocity to local density profiles. Various models are described and critically analyzed in the deterministic and stochastic case. The analysis is developed in view of applications of the models to traffic flow simulations for networks of roads. Some research perspectives are derived from the above analysis and proposed in the last part of the paper. To cite this article: N. Bellomo, V. Coscia, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).     

Macro versus micro-scale constitutive models in simulating proportional and nonproportional cyclic and ratcheting responses of stainless steel 304

A recent study by Hassan et al. [Hassan, T., Taleb, L., Krishna, S., 2008. Influences of nonproportional loading paths on ratcheting responses and simulations by two recent cyclic plasticity models. Int. J. Plasticity, 24, 1863–1889.] demonstrated that some of the nonproportional ratcheting responses under stress-controlled loading histories cannot be simulated reasonably by two recent cyclic plasticity models. Two major drawbacks of the models identified were: (i) the stainless steel 304 demonstrated cyclic hardening under strain-controlled loading whereas cyclic softening under stress-controlled loading, which depends on the strain-range and which the existing models cannot describe; (ii) the change in biaxial ratcheting responses due to the change in the degree of nonproportionality were not simulated well by the models. Motivated by these findings, two modified cyclic plasticity models are evaluated in predicting a broad set of cyclic and ratcheting response of stainless steel 304. The experimental responses used in evaluating the modified models included both proportional (uniaxial) and nonproportional (biaxial) loading responses from Hassan and Kyriakides [Hassan, T., Kyriakides, S., 1994a. Ratcheting of cyclically hardening and softening materials. Part I: uniaxial behavior. Int. J. Plasticity, 10, 149–184; Hassan, T., Kyriakides, S., 1994b. Ratcheting of cyclically hardening and softening materials. Part II: multiaxial behavior. Int. J. Plasticity, 10, 185–212.] and Hassan et al. [Hassan, T., Taleb, L., Krishna, S., 2008. Influences of nonproportional loading paths on ratcheting responses and simulations by two recent cyclic plasticity models. Int. J. Plasticity, 24, 1863–1889.] The first model studied is a macro-scale, phenomenological, constitutive model originally proposed by Chaboche et al. [Chaboche, J.L., Dang-Van, K., Cordier, G., 1979. Modelization of the strain memory effect on the cyclic hardening of 316 stainless steel. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on SMiRT, Div. L, Berlin, Germany, L11/3.]. This model was systematically modified for incorporating strain-range dependent cyclic hardening–softening, and proportional and nonproportional loading memory parameters. The second model evaluated is a polycrystalline model originally proposed by Cailletaud [Cailletaud, G., 1992. A micromechanical approach to inelastic behavior of metals. Int. J. Plasticity, 8, 55–73.] based on crystalline slip mechanisms. These two models are scrutinized against simulating hysteresis loop shape, cyclic hardening–softening, cross-effect, cyclic relaxation, subsequent cyclic softening and finally a broad set of ratcheting responses under uniaxial and biaxial loading histories. The modeling features which improved simulations for these responses are elaborated in the paper. In addition, a novel technique for simulating both the monotonic and cyclic responses with one set of model parameters is developed and validated.     

The study of quadruple integral equations involving inverse Mellin transforms and its application to a contact problem for a wedge shaped elastic solid in antiplane shear distribution

Closed form solution of quadruple integral equations involving inverse Mellin transforms has been obtained. The solution of quadruple integral equations is used in solving a two dimensional four-part mixed boundary value contact problem for an elastic wedge-shaped region as an application. Closed form expression for shear stress has been obtained. Finally, numerical results for shear stress are obtained and shown graphically.