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We discuss conservation laws for thin structures which could be modeled as a material minimal surface, i.e., a surface with zero mean curvatures. The models of an elastic membrane and micropolar (six-parameter) shell undergoing finite deformations are considered. We show that for a minimal surface, it is possible to formulate a conservation law similar to three-dimensional non-linear elasticity. It brings us a path-independent J -integral which could be used in mechanics of fracture. So, the class of minimal surfaces extends significantly a possible geometry of two-dimensional structures which possess conservation laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the propagation behaviour of a surface wave in a micropolar elastic half-space with surface strain and kinetic energies localized at the surface and the propagation behaviour of an interfacial anti-plane wave between two micropolar elastic half-spaces with interfacial strain and kinetic energies localized at the interface have been studied. The Gurtin–Murdoch model has been adopted for surface and interfacial elasticity. Dispersion equations for both models have been obtained in algebraic form for two types of anti-plane wave, i.e. a Love-type wave and a new type of surface wave (due to micropolarity). The angular frequency and phase velocity of anti-plane waves have been analysed through a numerical study within cut-off frequencies. The obtained results may find suitable applications in thin film technology, non-destructive analysis or biomechanics, where the models discussed here may serve as theoretical frameworks for similar types of phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For two- and three-dimensional elastic structures made of families of flexible elastic fibers undergoing finite deformations, we propose homogenized models within the micropolar elasticity. Here we restrict ourselves to networks with rigid connections between fibers. In other words, we assume that the fibers keep their orthogonality during deformation. Starting from a fiber as the basic structured element modeled by the Cosserat curve beam model, we get 2D and 3D semi-discrete models. These models consist of systems of ordinary differential equations describing the statics of a collection of fibers with certain geometrical constraints. Using a specific homogenization technique, we introduce two- and three-dimensional equivalent continuum models which correspond to the six-parameter shell model and the micropolar continuum, respectively. We call two models equivalent if their approximations coincide with each other up to certain accuracy. The two- and three-dimensional constitutive equations of the networks are derived and discussed within the micropolar continua theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the linear micropolar elasticity we discuss the development of new finite element and its implementation in commercial software. Here we implement the developed 8-node hybrid isoparametric element into ABAQUS and perform solutions of contact problems. We consider the contact of polymeric stamp modelled within the micropolar elasticity with an elastic substrate. The peculiarities of modelling of contact problems with a user defined finite element in ABAQUS are discussed. The provided comparison of solutions obtained within the micropolar and classical elasticity shows the influence of micropolar properties on stress concentration in the vicinity of contact area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the material symmetry group of the micropolar continuum and related consistently simplified constitutive equations. Following Eremeyev and Pietraszkiewicz (Int J Solid Struct 2012; 49: 1993–2005; Generalized continua as models for materials, Heidelberg: Springer, 2013, 77–90) we extend the definition of the group proposed by Eringen and Kafadar (Continuum physics, vol. 4, New York, NY: Academic Press, 1976, 1–75) by taking into account the microstructure curvature tensor as well as different transformation properties of polar (true) and axial (pseudo) tensors. Our material symmetry group consists of ordered triples of tensors which make the strain energy density of the micropolar continuum invariant under change of the reference placement. Within micropolar solids we discuss the isotropic, hemitropic, orthotropic, transversely isotropic and clinotropic materials and give explicitly the consistently reduced representations of the strain energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Courant’s minimax variational principle is considered in application to the six-parameter theory of prestressed shells. The equations of a prestressed micropolar shell are deduced in detail. Courant’s principle is used to study the dependence of the least and higher eigenfrequencies on shell parameters and boundary conditions. Cases involving boundary reinforcements and shell junctions are also treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the static and dynamic response of micro/nanobeams made of hyperelasticity materials received great attention. In the majority of studies in this area, the strain-stiffing effect that plays a major role in many hyperelastic materials has not been investigated deeply. Moreover, the influence of the size effect and large rotation for such a beam that is important for the large deformation was not addressed. This paper attempts to explore the free and forced vibrations of a micro/nanobeam made of a hyperelastic material incorporating strain-stiffening, size effect, and moderate rotation. The beam is modelled based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, and strains are obtained via an extended von Kármán theory. Boundary conditions and governing equations are derived by way of Hamilton's principle. The multiple scales method is applied to obtain the frequency response equation, and Hamilton's technique is utilized to obtain the free undamped nonlinear frequency. The influence of important system parameters such as the stiffening parameter, damping coefficient, length of the beam, length-scale parameter, and forcing amplitude on the frequency response, force response, and nonlinear frequency is analyzed. Results show that the hyperelastic microbeam shows a nonlinear hardening behavior, which this type of nonlinearity gets stronger by increasing the strain-stiffening effect. Conversely, as the strain-stiffening effect is decreased, the nonlinear frequency is decreased accordingly. The evidence from this study suggests that incorporating strain-stiffening in hyperelastic beams could improve their vibrational performance. The model proposed in this paper is mathematically simple and can be utilized for other kinds of micro/nanobeams with different boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the six-parameter nonlinear shell theory we analyzed the in-plane rotational instability which occurs under in-plane tensile loading. For plane deformations the considered shell model coincides up to notations with the geometrically nonlinear Cosserat continuum under plane stress conditions. So we considered here both large translations and rotations. The constitutive relations contain some additional micropolar parameters with so-called coupling factor that relates Cosserat shear modulus with the Cauchy shear modulus. The discussed instability relates to the bifurcation from the static solution without rotations to solution with non-zero rotations. So we call it rotational instability. We present an elementary discrete model which captures the rotational instability phenomenon and the results of numerical analysis within the shell model. The dependence of the bifurcation condition on the micropolar material parameters is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]