On the construction of anisotropic polyconvex energy densities

In this contribution we propose a general framework for the construction of polyconvex energies for arbitrary anisotropy classes. The main idea is the introduction of an anisotropic metric reflecting the material symmetry of the underlying crystal. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Galerkin-based energy-momentum time-stepping schemes for anisotropic hyperelastic materials

This paper is motivated by dynamic simulations of fiber-reinforced materials in light-weight structures, and has two goals. First of all, the introduction of energy-momentum schemes for nonlinear anisotropic materials, based on GALERKIN approximations in space and time, assumed strain approximations in time and superimposed algorithmic stress fields (compare [1]). Second, to show a variationally consistent design of energy-momentum schemes using a differential variational principle. We develop a discrete variational principle leading to energy-momentum schemes as discrete EULER-LAGRANGE equations. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Construction of polyconvex,anisotropic free‐energy functions

The existence of minimizers of some variational principles in finite elasticity is based on the concept of quasiconvexity, introduced by Morrey [6]. This integral inequality is rather complicated to handle. Thus, the sufficient condition for quasiconvexity, the polyconvexity condition in the sense of Ball [1], is a more important concept for practical applications, see also Ciarlet [4] and Dacorogna [5]. In the case of isotropy there exist some models which satisfy this condition. Furthermore, there does not exist a systematic treatment of anisotropic, polyconvex free‐energies in the literature. In the present work we discuss some aspects of the formulation of polyconvex, anisotropic free‐energy functions in the framework of the invariant formulation of anisotropic constitutive equations and focus on transverse isotropy.     

Saint-Venant's problem for heterogeneous anisotropic elastic solids

Summary In this paper we give a method to solve Saint-Venant's problem for inhomogeneous and anisotropic elastic cylinders when the elastic coefficients are independent of the axial coordinate. The cross-section of the cylinder is assumed to be occupied by different inhomogeneous and anisotropic elastic materials. Dedicated to Prof.Dario Graffi on his 70th birthday Entrata in Redazione il 15 maggio 1975.     

The Cauchy problem for the generalized hyperelastic rod wave equation

In this paper we consider the Cauchy problem for the generalized hyperelasticrod wave equation which includes the Camassa‐Holm equation and the hyperelastic rod wave equation. Firstly, by using the Kato's theory, we prove that the Cauchy problem for the generalized hyperelastic rod wave is locally well‐posed in Sobolev spaces with . Secondly, we give some conservation laws, some useful conclusions and the precise blow‐up scenario and show that the Cauchy problem for the generalized hyperelastic rod wave equation has smooth solutions which blows up in finite time. Thirdly, we give the blow‐up rate of the strong solutions to the Cauchy problem for the generalized hyperelastic rod wave equation. Finally, we give the lower bound of the maximal existence time of the solution and the lower semicontinuity of existence time of solutions to the generalized hyperelastic rod wave equation.     

Optimal orientation of anisotropic solids

Results are presented for finding the optimal orientation ofan anisotropic elastic material. The problem is formulated asminimizing the strain energy subject to rotation of the materialaxes, under a state of uniform stress. It is shown that a stationaryvalue of the strain energy requires the stress and strain tensorsto have a common set of principal axes. The new derivation ofthis well-known coaxiality condition uses the six-dimensionalexpression of the rotation tensor for the elastic moduli. Usingthis representation it is shown that the stationary conditionis a minimum or a maximum if an explicit set of conditions issatisfied. Specific results are given for materials of cubic,transversely isotropic (TI) and tetragonal symmetries. In eachcase the existence of a minimum or maximum depends on the signof a single elastic constant. The stationary (minimum or maximum)value of energy can always be achieved for cubic materials.Typically, the optimal orientation of a solid with cubic materialsymmetry is not aligned with the symmetry directions. Expressionsare given for the optimal orientation of TI and tetragonal materials,and are in agreement with results of Rovati and Taliercio obtainedby a different procedure. A new concept is introduced: the straindeviation angle, which defines the degree to which a state ofstress or strain is not optimal. The strain deviation angleis zero for coaxial stress and strain. An approximate formulais given for the strain deviation angle which is valid for materialsthat are weakly anisotropic.     

A model reduction approach for hyperelastic materials based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

In this contribution, we present a model reduction approach for hyperelastic materials based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition. A separation of the solution into time and space dependent functions is performed, which allows to compute reduced solutions within real time. The functionality of the method is demonstrated by a tensile test and is further applied to a stochastic analysis and a multi-parametric analysis involving non-linear material behaviour and large deformations. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A direct proof for lower semicontinuity of polyconvex functionals

Lower semicontinuity for polyconvex functionals of the form ∫_Ω g(detDu)dx with respect to sequences of functions fromW ^1,n (Ω;ℝ ⁿ ) which converge inL ¹ (Ωℝ ⁿ ) and are uniformly bounded inW ^1,n−1 (Ω;ℝ ⁿ ), is proved. This was first established in [5] using results from [1] on Cartesian Currents. We give a simple direct proof which does not involve currents. We also show how the method extends to prove natural, essentially optimal, generalizations of these results. Supported by MURST, Gruppo Nazionale 40% Partially supported by Australian Research Council     

A micromechanics-based Cosserat-type model for dense particulate solids

A two-dimensional continuum theory is presented for cohesionless granular media consisting of identical rigid disks. While the normal deformation of contacting particles is constrained, the tangential frictional contact is modelled by a line spring with a constant stiffness. To describe the static frictional system transmitting couples at contacts, a Cosserat-type continuum including rotational degrees of freedom is appropriate. Contrary to the classical elastic medium, movement of particles within a granular system in response to applied loads can give rise to localisations of force chains and large voids. In addition to relative displacement and rotation, a director governing the direction of interparticle forces and a phase field delineating density variation, are therefore introduced. Total work done involving these two order parameters for a particle is attained on an orientation average. Based on the formulation of free energy, a concentration- and anisotropy-dependent formulation for static quantities (stress and couple stress) in the rate form is derived in light of the principles of thermodynamics. It is consistent with the requirement of observer independence and material symmetry. The governing equations for two order parameters are derived, in which void concentration and stress anisotropy are related to relative displacement and rotation. As an example, the proposed model is applied to the hardening regime of deformation of a dense particle assembly with initial perfect lattice under simple shear. It is demonstrated that in the presence of dilatancy and director variation, there exists a linear relation between the shear stress and strain, in coincidence with experimental observations.     

A micromechanics-based Cosserat-type model for dense particulate solids

A two-dimensional continuum theory is presented for cohesionless granular media consisting of identical rigid disks. While the normal deformation of contacting particles is constrained, the tangential frictional contact is modelled by a line spring with a constant stiffness. To describe the static frictional system transmitting couples at contacts, a Cosserat-type continuum including rotational degrees of freedom is appropriate. Contrary to the classical elastic medium, movement of particles within a granular system in response to applied loads can give rise to localisations of force chains and large voids. In addition to relative displacement and rotation, a director governing the direction of interparticle forces and a phase field delineating density variation, are therefore introduced. Total work done involving these two order parameters for a particle is attained on an orientation average. Based on the formulation of free energy, a concentration- and anisotropy-dependent formulation for static quantities (stress and couple stress) in the rate form is derived in light of the principles of thermodynamics. It is consistent with the requirement of observer independence and material symmetry. The governing equations for two order parameters are derived, in which void concentration and stress anisotropy are related to relative displacement and rotation. As an example, the proposed model is applied to the hardening regime of deformation of a dense particle assembly with initial perfect lattice under simple shear. It is demonstrated that in the presence of dilatancy and director variation, there exists a linear relation between the shear stress and strain, in coincidence with experimental observations. Received: February 24, 2005     

A model for lime consolidation of porous solids

We propose a mathematical model describing the process of filling the pores of a building material with lime water solution with the goal to improve the consistency of the porous solid. Chemical reactions produce calcium carbonate which glues the solid particles together at some distance from the boundary and strengthens the whole structure. The model consists of a 3D convection–diffusion system with a nonlinear boundary condition for the liquid and for calcium hydroxide, coupled with the mass balance equations for the chemical reaction. The main result consists in proving that the system has a solution for each initial data from a physically relevant class. A 1D numerical test shows a qualitative agreement with experimental observations.     

A polyconvex strain-energy split for a high-order phase-field approach to fracture

This contribution focuses on a novel phase-field model for a high-order phase-field approach to brittle fracture in the range finite deformation. In particular, two different challenges are tackled in this study: First, we want to establish a polyconvex free energy density to ensure the existence of a minimizer for the coupled problem, second, we have to deal with a fourth-order Cahn-Hilliard type equation for the approximation of the phase-field. Phase-field methods employ a variational framework for brittle fracture and have proven to predict complex fracture patterns in two and three dimensional examples. Basis of the model are the conjugate stresses of the three strain measures deformation gradient (line map), its cofactor (area map) and its determinant (volume map). The introduction of the tensor cross product simplifies the presentation of the first Piola-Kirchhoff stress tensor and its derivatives in elegant manner. The proposed Cahn-Hilliard type equation requires global -continuity. Therefore, we apply an isogeometric framework using NURBS basis functions. Moreover, a general hierarchical refinement scheme based on subdivision projection is used here for one, two and three dimensional simulations. This technique allows to enhance the approximation space using finer splines on each level but preserves the partition of unity as well as the continuity properties of the original discretization. We finally demonstrate the accuracy and the robustness with a series of benchmark problems. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Construction of generalized anisotropic zilch

Conservation equations relating to energy and zilch have recently been generalized to systems of n partial differential equations in n vector-variables. Conditions governing the existence of generalized energy and zilch have been derived. The present investigation extends these concepts to embrace anisotropic conditions, in which 2n vector-variables are related by their curls and time derivatives. Anisotropic symmetric constitutive relations are given, and a search is made for conditions under which reciprocity exists when the reciprocity flux density is expressed in vector product form. The construction of the zilch then rests upon the solution of certain matrix equations, with unknown symmetric and skew-symmetric matrices to be found that contain as many arbitrary constant elements as possible.     

An alternative version of constructing limit surfaces for anisotropic solids

This paper deals with constructing closed everywhere smooth surfaces in 6D space of symmetric second-rank tensors by means of a conoidal anisotropic transformation of the unit sphere S⁵. A special case of such transformations is proposed and the surface convexity conditions are pointed out. These surfaces can be utilized in the strength and plasticity theories of isotropic and anisotropic solids.Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 488–493, July–August, 1995.