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The majority of atomic force microcode (AFM) probes work based on piezoelectric actuation. However, some undesirable phenomena such as creep and hysteresis may appear in the piezoelectric actuators that limit their applications. This paper proposes a novel AFM probe based on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). The DE is modeled via the use of a hyperelastic Cosserat model. Size effects and geometric nonlinearity are included utilizing the modified couple stress theory and the von-Kármán strains. A non-contact interaction condition is adopted for AFM, which is taken into account via the van der Waals force. Governing equations are derived employing Hamilton's principle, and a reduced model is obtained using an extended Galerkin scheme. The free vibration of the system is formulated when a static voltage is applied to the elastomer. The forced vibration is then formulated when the system is under a combination of static and dynamic voltages. The ordinary differential equations of the free and forced vibrations are numerically and analytically solved by the backward differentiation method and multiple time scales method, respectively. Results are presented in time histories, phase portraits, Poincaré maps, fast Fourier transforms, and frequency amplitude curves. Overall, the obtained information displays that the system undergoes quasiperiodic and periodic motions. Moreover, the resonant response of the DE-based AFM is softening-type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the blood flow through blood vessels of various radii (including the case of variable cross section as well as modeling the blood flow through venae and arteries). Two approaches are discussed in order to mimic the dependence of blood viscosity on red blood cells aggregation, which changes with the shear rate and position inside the vessel: Two microstructural parameters together with empirical constitutive equations as a characteristic of aggregation are proposed, namely the microinertia as well as the volume fraction of blood particles (erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes). Consequently, the Navier–Stokes system of equations for an incompressible fluid is supplemented by a constitutive equation for the moment of inertia in one case and for the volume fraction in another. The problems are solved numerically by the finite volume method for vessels of various geometries in spatial description. A comparison with experimental data for a narrow capillary shows the efficiency of the proposed constitutive equations for describing blood flow. Also, velocity profiles are obtained on the basis of compiled empirical formula for various sections of a blood vessel of variable radius. In addition, the flow through vessels of the human circulatory system, such as the inferior vena cava and the carotid artery, are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the applicability of Eringen's Generalized Continuum Theories as a model for human blood in the microcirculation. The applied theory considers a fluid with a fully deformable substructure, namely a micromorphic fluid. This analysis is motivated by the fact that blood itself can be considered a suspension of deformable particles, i.e., red blood cells (RBCs), suspended in a Newtonian fluid, i.e., blood plasma. As a consequence, non-Newtonian phenomena such as shear-thinning are observed in blood. To test the micromorphic fluid as a model for blood, the solution for the velocity and the motion of substructure is determined for a cylindrical pipe flow and compared to experimental results of blood flow through narrow glass capillaries representing idealized blood vessels. A similar analysis was also conducted by Kang and Eringen in 1976, but it contains some misprints and minor errors regarding the mathematical expressions and subsequent discussion which are corrected in this paper. For certain material parameters, the micromorphic fluid models capture high-shear blood flow in narrow glass capillaries very well. This concerns both the velocity profiles and the shear-thinning behavior. Furthermore, a parameter study reveals that the flexibility of substructure governs the micromorphic shear-thinning. In this regard, parallels can be drawn to the shear-thinning of human blood, which is also induced by the deformability of RBCs. This makes the micromorphic fluid a complex but accurate model for human blood, at least for the considered experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper concerns the nonlinear behaviour of a thin platelet that is streamlined in an aerodynamic tunnel. The air velocity in the aerodynamic tunnel was at 858.9 km/h or 0.7 Ma (Ma—Mach number is a dimensionless quantity in fluid dynamics representing the ratio of flow velocity past a boundary to the local speed of sound). This experiment was numerically simulated using FSI (fluid–solid interaction) tools, namely the coupling between the strength and flow code. The strength code uses the finite element method, while the flow code is based on the finite volume method. The coupling between the codes was made by means of an interface that transmitted the relevant data and results between the two codes. The paper discusses the methodology of this coupling. The study also highlights the phenomena occurring during the interaction of flow with the plate with emphasis on their nonlinear character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, bending analysis of rectangular functionally graded nanoplates under a uniform transverse load has been considered based on the modified couple stress theory. Using Hamilton's principle, governing equations are derived based on a higher-order shear deformation theory. The set of coupled equations are solved using the dynamic relaxation method combined with finite difference discretization technique for clamped and simply supported boundary conditions. Finally, the effects of aspect ratio, thickness-to-length ratio, boundary conditions, transverse load, and length scale parameter are studied in detail. The results showed that by rising the length scale-to-thickness ratio, the influence of the grading index on the deflection decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss ellipticity property within the linear couple-stress elasticity. In this theory, there exists a deformation energy density introduced as a function of strains and gradient of macrorotations, where the latter are expressed through displacements. So the couple-stress theory could be treated as a particular class of strain gradient elasticity. Within the micropolar elasticity, the model is called Cosserat pseudocontinuum or medium with constrained rotations. Applying the classic definitions of ordinary ellipticity and strong ellipticity to static equations of the couple-stress theory, we conclude that these equations are neither elliptic nor strongly elliptic. As a result, one should be aware of extending properties of full strain gradient models such as Toupin–Mindlin strain gradient elasticity to models with incomplete set of second derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a time-dependent thermoelastic coupling within free vibrations of piezomagnetic (PM) microbeams considering the flexomagnetic (FM) phenomenon. The flexomagneticity relates to a magnetic field with a gradient of strains. Here, we use the generalized thermoelasticity theory of Lord–Shulman to analyze the interaction between elastic deformation and thermal conductivity. The uniform magnetic field is permeated in line with the transverse axis. Using the strain gradient approach, the beam yields microstructural properties. The analytical solving process has been gotten via applying sine Fourier technique on displacements. Graphical illustrations are assigned to shape numerical examples concerning variations in essential physical quantities. It was observed that the flexomagnetic effect could be extraordinary if the thermal conductivity of the material is higher or the thermal relaxation time of the heat source is lesser. This theoretical study will provide the way of starting studies on magneto-thermoelastic small-scale piezo-flexomagnetic structures based on the heat conduction models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a photothermal model to reveal the thermo-magneto-mechanical properties of semiconductor materials, including coupled diffusion equations for thermal conductivity, elasticity, and excess carrier density. The proposed model is developed to account for the optical heating that occurs through the semiconductor medium. The Moore–Gibson–Thompson (MGT) equation of the fourth-order serves as the theoretical framework to establish the photothermal model. It is well-known that the optical and heat transfer properties of such materials behave as random functions of photoexcited-carrier density; therefore, the current model is remarkably more reliable compared to the earlier closed-form theories which are limited to a single form. The constructed theoretical framework is able to investigate the magneto-photo-thermoelastic problems in a semiconductor medium due to laser pulse excitation as a case study. Some parametric studies are used to exhibit the impact of thermal parameters, electromagnetic fields, laser pulses and thermoelectric coupling factors on the thermomagnetic behavior of physical variables. Finally, several numerical examples have been presented to draw the distributions of the examined field variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galerkin weighted residual method (GWRM) is applied and implemented to address the axial stability and bifurcation point of a functionally graded piezomagnetic structure containing flexomagneticity in a thermal environment. The continuum specimen involves an exponential mass distributed in a heterogeneous media with a constant square cross section. The physical neutral plane is investigated to postulate functionally graded material (FGM) close to reality. Mathematical formulations concern the Timoshenko shear deformation theory. Small scale and atomic interactions are shaped as maintained by the nonlocal strain gradient elasticity approach. Since there is no bifurcation point for FGMs, whenever both boundary conditions are rotational and the neutral surface does not match the mid-plane, the clamp configuration is examined only. The fourth-order ordinary differential stability equations will be converted into the sets of algebraic ones utilizing the GWRM whose accuracy was proved before. After that, by simply solving the achieved polynomial constitutive relation, the parametric study can be started due to various predominant and overriding factors. It was found that the flexomagneticity is further visible if the ferric nanobeam is constructed by FGM technology. In addition to this, shear deformations are also efficacious to make the FM detectable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, a computational analysis is conducted to study a magneto-thermoelastic problem for an isotropic perfectly conducting half-space medium. The medium is subjected to a periodic heat flow in the presence of a continuous longitude magnetic field. Based on Moore–Gibson–Thompson equation, a new generalized model has been investigated to address the considered problem. The introduced model can be formulated by combining the Green–Naghdi Type III and Lord–Shulman models. Eringen's non-local theory has also been applied to demonstrate the effect of thermoelastic materials which depends on small scale. Some special cases as well as previous thermoelasticity models are deduced from the presented approach. In the domain of the Laplace transform, the system of equations is expressed and the problem is solved using state space method. The converted physical expressions are numerically reversed by Zakian's computational algorithm. The analysis indicates the significant influence on field variables of non-local modulus and magnetic field with larger values. Moreover, with the established literature, the numerical results are satisfactorily examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a review of the recent workshop "Micropolar Continua and beyond" which held in March 28–31, 2023, at Technische University of Berlin, Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main laws of the processes of creep and long-term strength of polycrystalline structural alloys are considered. From the viewpoint of continuum damaged media (CDM), a mathematical model is developed that describes the processes of viscoplastic deformation and damage accumulation under creep. The problem of determining material parameters and scalar functions of the developed constitutive relations based on the results of specially set basic experiments is discussed. An experimental–theoretical methodology for determining material parameters of the derived constitutive relations of CDM is developed based on analyzing the viscoplastic deformation and failure processes of laboratory specimens in the conditions of soft loading (stress controlled). Experimental results of short-term creep of the VZh-159 heat-resistant alloy are presented. The obtained numerical results are compared with the test data using the numerical modeling method of experimental processes. Qualitative and quantitative agreement between numerical results and experimental data is shown. It is concluded that the developed constitutive relations are reliable, and that the proposed methodology accurately determines the material parameters of the model under degradation of initial strength properties of structural materials according to the long-term strength mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of his groundbreaking work on generalized continuum mechanics, Eringen proposed what he called 3M theories, namely the concept of micromorphic, microstretch, and micropolar materials modeling. The micromorphic approach provides the most general framework for a continuum with translational and (internal) rotational degrees of freedom (DOF), whilst the rotational DOFs of micromorphic and micropolar continua are subjected to more and more constraints. More recently, an "extended" micropolar theory has been presented by one of the authors: Eringen's 3M theories were children of solid mechanics based on the concept of the indestructible material particle. Extended micropolar theory was formulated both ways for material systems as well as in spatial description, which is useful when describing fluid matter. The latter opens the possibility to model situations and materials with a continuum point that on the microscale consists no longer of the same elementary units during a physical process. The difference culminates in an equation for the microinertia tensor, which is no longer a kinematic identity. Rather it contains a new continuum field, namely an independent production term and, consequently, establishes a new constitutive quantity. This makes it possible to describe processes of structural change, which are difficult if not impossible to be captured within the material particle model. This paper compares the various theories and points out their communalities as well as their differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work performs the first time exploring and addressing the flexomagnetic property in a shear deformable piezomagnetic structure. The strain gradient reveals flexomagneticity in a magnetization phenomenon of structures regardless of their atomic lattice is symmetrical or asymmetrical. It is assumed that a synchronous converse magnetization couples both piezomagnetic and flexomagnetic features into the material structure. The mathematical modeling begins with the Timoshenko beam model to find the governing equations and non-classical boundary conditions based on shear deformations. Flexomagneticity evolves at a small scale and dominant at micro/nanosize structures. Meanwhile, the well-known Eringen's-type model of nonlocal strain gradient elasticity is integrated with the mathematical process to fulfill the scaling behavior. From the viewpoint of the solution, the displacement of the physical model after deformation is carried out as the analytical solution of the Galerkin weighted residual method (GWRM), helping us obtain the numerical outcomes on the basis of the simple end conditions. The best of our achievements display that considering shear deformation is essential for nanobeams with larger values of strain gradient parameter and small amounts of the nonlocal coefficient. Furthermore, we showed that the flexomagnetic (FM) effect brings about more noticeable shear deformations' influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyse the behaviour of a thin plate with air flow velocities of 0.3–0.9 Ma. Data from the experiment and numerical tools were used for the analysis. For fluid–solid interaction calculations, the arbitrary Lagrange–Euler approach was used. The results of the measurements are twofold. The first one is the measurement of the flow before and after vibrating plate, i.e. pure flow plate, and the second consists in measuring the characteristics of vibration of the plate. The character of the vibration was measured with an oscilloscope, and then the results were subjected to FFT analysis to determine the natural and flow induced vibrations. For numerical calculations example, the velocity of 0.7 Ma was selected. The deflections of the platelet under the influence of airflow were obtained. The trace of the friction layer that forms the boundary between the flow from the platelet and the separation formed behind the platelet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We call nonlinear dilatational strain gradient elasticity the theory in which the specific class of dilatational second gradient continua is considered: those whose deformation energy depends, in an objective way, on the gradient of placement and on the gradient of the determinant of the gradient of placement. It is an interesting particular case of complete Toupin–Mindlin nonlinear strain gradient elasticity: indeed, in it, the only second gradient effects are due to the inhomogeneous dilatation state of the considered deformable body. The dilatational second gradient continua are strictly related to other generalized models with scalar (one-dimensional) microstructure as those considered in poroelasticity. They could be also regarded to be the result of a kind of "solidification" of the strain gradient fluids known as Korteweg or Cahn–Hilliard fluids. Using the variational approach we derive, for dilatational second gradient continua the Euler–Lagrange equilibrium conditions in both Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions. In particular, we show that the considered continua can support contact forces concentrated on edges but also on surface curves in the faces of piecewise orientable contact surfaces. The conditions characterizing the possible externally applicable double forces and curve forces are found and examined in detail. As a result of linearization the case of small deformations is also presented. The peculiarities of the model is illustrated through axial deformations of a thick-walled elastic tube and the propagation of dilatational waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete nonlinear resultant 2D model of shell thermodiffusion is developed. All 2D balance laws and the entropy imbalance are formulated by direct through-the-thickness integration of respective 3D laws of continuum thermodiffusion. This leads to a more rich thermodynamic structure of our 2D model with several additional 2D fields not present in the 3D parent model. Constitutive equations of elastic thermodiffusive shells are discussed in more detail. They are formulated from restrictions imposed by the resultant 2D entropy imbalance according to Coleman–Noll procedure extended by a set of 2D constitutive equations based on heuristic assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By relying on the Euler–Bernoulli beam model and energy variational formula, we indicate critical temperature causes in the buckling of piezo-flexomagnetic microscale beams. The corresponding size-dependent approach is underlying as a second strain gradient theory. Small deformations of elastic solids are assessed, and the mathematical discussion is linear. Regardless of the pyromagnetic effects, the thermal loading of the thermal environment varies in three states along with the thickness, which is linear, uniform, and parabolic forms. We then establish the results by developing consistent shape functions that independently evaluate boundary conditions. Next, we analytically develop and explore the effective properties of the studied beam concerning vital factors. It was achieved that piezomagnetic-flexomagnetic microbeams are more affected by the thermal environment while the thermal loading is parabolically distributed across the thickness, particularly when the boundaries involve simple supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of a theoretical study, this research incorporates an eccentricity into a system of compressed double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs). In order to formulate the stability equations, a kinematic displacement with reference to the classical beam hypothesis is utilized. Furthermore, the influence of nanoscale size is taken into account with regard to the nonlocal approach of strain gradient, and the van der Waals interaction for both inner and outer tubes is also considered based on the Lennard–Jones model. Galerkin decomposition is employed to numerically deal with the governing equations. It is evidently demonstrated that the geometrical eccentricity remarkably affects the stability threshold and its impact is to increase the static stability of DWCNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the couple stress theory, we discuss the effective elastic properties of a metal open-cell foam. In this theory, we have the couple stress tensor, but the microrotations are fully described by displacements. To this end, we performed calculations for a representative volume element which give the matrices of elastic moduli relating stress and stress tensors with strain and microcurvature tensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main physical laws of thermal–plastic deformation and fatigue damage accumulation processes in polycrystalline structural alloys under various regimes of cyclic thermal–mechanical loading are considered. Within the framework of mechanics of damaged media, a mathematical model is developed that describes thermal–plastic deformation and fatigue damage accumulation processes under low-cycle loading. The model consists of three interrelated parts: relations defining plastic behavior of the material, accounting for its dependence on the failure process; evolutionary equations describing damage accumulation kinetics; a strength criterion of the damaged material. The plasticity model based on the notion of yield surface and the principle of orthogonality of the plastic strain vector to the yield surface is used as defining relations. This version of defining equations of plasticity describes the main effects of the deformation process under monotone cyclic, proportional and nonproportional loading regimes. The version of kinetic equations of damage accumulation is based on introducing a scalar parameter of damage degree and energy principles, and account for the main effects of nucleation, growth and merging of microdefects under arbitrary regimes of low-cycle loading. The strength criterion of the damaged material is based on reaching a critical value of the damage degree. The results of numerically modeling cyclic thermal–plastic deformation and fatigue damage accumulation in heat-resistant alloys (Nimonic 80A, Haynes 188) under combined thermal–mechanical loading are presented. Special attention is paid to the issues of modeling the processes of cyclic thermal–plastic deformation and fatigue damage accumulation for complex deformation processes accompanied by the rotation of the main stress and strain tensor areas. It is shown that the present damaged medium model accurately enough for engineering purposes describes the processes of cyclic isothermal and nonisothermal deformation and fatigue damage accumulation under combined thermal–mechanical loading and makes it possible to evaluate low-cycle fatigue life of heat-resistant alloys under arbitrary deformation trajectories. [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]

In this paper, we discuss well-posedness of the boundary-value problems arising in some "gradient-incomplete" strain-gradient elasticity models, which appear in the study of homogenized models for a large class of metamaterials whose microstructures can be regarded as beam lattices constrained with internal pivots. We use the attribute "gradient-incomplete" strain-gradient elasticity for a model in which the considered strain energy density depends on displacements and only on some specific partial derivatives among those constituting displacements first and second gradients. So, unlike to the models of strain-gradient elasticity considered up-to-now, the strain energy density which we consider here is in a sense degenerated, since it does not contain the full set of second derivatives of the displacement field. Such mathematical problem was motivated by a recently introduced new class of metamaterials (whose microstructure is constituted by the so-called pantographic beam lattices) and by woven fabrics. Indeed, as from the physical point of view such materials are strongly anisotropic, it is not surprising that the mathematical models to be introduced must reflect such property also by considering an expression for deformation energy involving only some among the higher partial derivatives of displacement fields. As a consequence, the differential operators considered here, in the framework of introduced models, are neither elliptic nor strong elliptic as, in general, they belong to the class so-called hypoelliptic operators. Following (Eremeyev et al. in J Elast 132:175–196, 2018. 10.1007/s10659-017-9660-3) we present well-posedness results in the case of the boundary-value problems for small (linearized) spatial deformations of pantographic sheets, i.e., 2D continua, when deforming in 3D space. In order to prove the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions, we introduce a class of subsets of anisotropic Sobolev's space defined as the energy space E relative to specifically assigned boundary conditions. As introduced by Sergey M. Nikolskii, an anisotropic Sobolev space consists of functions having different differential properties in different coordinate directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider both three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) Eshelby tensors known also as energy–momentum tensors or chemical potential tensors, which are introduced within the nonlinear elasticity and the resultant nonlinear shell theory, respectively. We demonstrate that 2D Eshelby tensor is introduced earlier directly using 2D constitutive equations of nonlinear shells and can be derived also using the through-the-thickness procedure applied to a 3D shell-like body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we account for the research efforts that have been started, for some among us, already since 2003, and aimed to the design of a class of exotic architectured, optimized (meta) materials. At the first stage of these efforts, as it often happens, the research was based on the results of mathematical investigations. The problem to be solved was stated as follows: determine the material (micro)structure governed by those equations that specify a desired behavior. Addressing this problem has led to the synthesis of second gradient materials. In the second stage, it has been necessary to develop numerical integration schemes and the corresponding codes for solving, in physically relevant cases, the chosen equations. Finally, it has been necessary to physically construct the theoretically synthesized microstructures. This has been possible by means of the recent developments in rapid prototyping technologies, which allow for the fabrication of some complex (micro)structures considered, up to now, to be simply some mathematical dreams. We show here a panorama of the results of our efforts (1) in designing pantographic metamaterials, (2) in exploiting the modern technology of rapid prototyping, and (3) in the mechanical testing of many real prototypes. Among the key findings that have been obtained, there are the following ones: pantographic metamaterials (1) undergo very large deformations while remaining in the elastic regime, (2) are very tough in resisting to damage phenomena, (3) exhibit robust macroscopic mechanical behavior with respect to minor changes in their microstructure and micromechanical properties, (4) have superior strength to weight ratio, (5) have predictable damage behavior, and (6) possess physical properties that are critically dictated by their geometry at the microlevel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses modeling and finite element analysis of the transient large-amplitude vibration response of thin rod-type structures (e.g., plane curved beams, arches, ring shells) and its control by integrated piezoelectric layers. A geometrically nonlinear finite beam element for the analysis of piezolaminated structures is developed that is based on the Bernoulli hypothesis and the assumptions of small strains and finite rotations of the normal. The finite element model can be applied to static, stability, and transient analysis of smart structures consisting of a master structure and integrated piezoelectric actuator layers or patches attached to the upper and lower surfaces. Two problems are studied extensively: (i) FE analyses of a clamped semicircular ring shell that has been used as a benchmark problem for linear vibration control in several recent papers are critically reviewed and extended to account for the effects of structural nonlinearity and (ii) a smart circular arch subjected to a hydrostatic pressure load is investigated statically and dynamically in order to study the shift of bifurcation and limit points, eigenfrequencies, and eigenvectors, as well as vibration control for loading conditions which may lead to dynamic loss of stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we demonstrate a method for self-organization and leader following of nonholonomic robotic swarm based on spring damper mesh. By self-organization of swarm robots we mean the emergence of order in a swarm as the result of interactions among the single robots. In other words the self-organization of swarm robots mimics some natural behavior of social animals like ants among others. The dynamics of two-wheel robot is derived, and a relation between virtual forces and robot control inputs is defined in order to establish stable swarm formation. Two cases of swarm control are analyzed. In the first case the swarm cohesion is achieved by virtual spring damper mesh connecting nearest neighboring robots without designated leader. In the second case we introduce a swarm leader interacting with nearest and second neighbors allowing the swarm to follow the leader. The paper ends with numeric simulation for performance evaluation of the proposed control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-posedness of the boundary value problems for second gradient elasticity has been studied under the assumption of strong ellipticity of the dependence on the second placement gradients (see, e.g., Chambon and Moullet in Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng. 193:2771-2796, 2004 and Mareno and Healey in SIAM J. Math. Anal. 38:103-115, 2006).The study of the equilibrium of planar pantographic lattices has been approached in two different ways: in dell’Isola et al. (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. A 472:20150, 2016) a discrete model was introduced involving extensional and rotational springs which is also valid in large deformations regimes while in Boutin et al. (Math. Mech. Complex Syst. 5:127-162, 2017) the lattice has been modelled as a set of beam elements interconnected by internal pivots, but the analysis was restricted to the linear case. In both papers a homogenized second gradient deformation energy, quadratic in the neighbourhood of non deformed configuration, is obtained via perturbative methods and the predictions obtained with the obtained continuum model are successfully compared with experiments. This energy is not strongly elliptic in its dependence on second gradients. We consider in this paper also the important particular case of pantographic lattices whose first gradient energy does not depend on shear deformation: this could be considered either a pathological case or an important exceptional case (see Stillwell et al. in Am. Math. Mon. 105:850-858, 1998 and Turro in Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 39:2255-2259, 2000). In both cases we believe that such a particular case deserves some attention because of what we can understand by studying it (see Dyson in Science 200:677-678, 1978). This circumstance motivates the present paper, where we address the well-posedness of the planar linearized equilibrium problem for homogenized pantographic lattices. To do so: (i) we introduce a class of subsets of anisotropic Sobolev’s space as the most suitable energy space E relative to assigned boundary conditions; (ii) we prove that the considered strain energy density is coercive and positive definite in E; (iii) we prove that the set of placements for which the strain energy is vanishing (the so-called floppy modes) must strictly include rigid motions; (iv) we determine the restrictions on displacement boundary conditions which assure existence and uniqueness of linear static problems. The presented results represent one of the first mechanical applications of the concept of Anisotropic Sobolev space, initially introduced only on the basis of purely abstract mathematical considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical questions pertaining to linear problems of equilibrium dynamics and vibrations of elastic bodies with surface stresses are studied. We extend our earlier results on existence of weak solutions within the Gurtin-Murdoch model to the Steigmann-Ogden model of surface elasticity using techniques from the theory of Sobolev's spaces and methods of functional analysis. The Steigmann-Ogden model accounts for the bending stiffness of the surface film; it is a generalization of the Gurtin-Murdoch model. Weak setups of the problems, based on variational principles formulated, are employed. Some uniqueness-existence theorems for weak solutions of static and dynamic problems are proved in energy spaces via functional analytic methods. On the boundary surface, solutions to the problems under consideration are smoother than those for the corresponding problems of classical linear elasticity and those described by the Gurtin-Murdoch model. The weak setups of eigenvalue problems for elastic bodies with surface stresses are based on the Rayleigh and Courant variational principles. For the problems based on the Steigmann-Ogden model, certain spectral properties are established. In particular, bounds are placed on the eigenfrequencies of an elastic body with surface stresses; these demonstrate the increase in the body rigidity and the eigenfrequencies compared with the situation where the surface stresses are neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years, the rapid increase in the technical capability to control and design materials at the nanoscale has pushed toward an intensive exploitation of new possibilities concerning optical, chemical, thermoelectrical and electronic applications. As a result, new materials have been developed to obtain specific physical properties and performances. In this general picture, it was natural that the attention toward mechanical characterization of the new structures was left, in a sense, behind. Anyway, once the theoretically designed objects proceed toward concrete manufacturing and applications, an accurate and general description of their mechanical properties becomes more and more scientifically relevant. The aim of the paper is therefore to discuss new methods and techniques for modeling the behavior of nanostructured materials considering surface/interface properties, which are responsible for the main differences between nano- and macroscale, and to determine their actual material properties at the macroscale. Our approach is intended to study the mechanical properties of materials taking into account surface properties including possible complex inner microstructure of surface coatings. We use the Gurtin-Murdoch model of surface elasticity. We consider the inner regular and irregular surface thin coatings (i.e., ordered or disordered nanofibers arrays) and present few examples of averaged 2D properties of them. Since the actual 2D properties depend not only on the mechanical properties of fibers or other elements of a coating, but also on the interaction forces between them, the analysis also includes information on the geometry of the microstructure of the coating, on mechanical properties of elements and on interaction forces. Further we use the obtained 2D properties to derive the effective properties of solids and structures at the macroscale, such as the bending stiffness or Young's modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00161-022-01098-4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss free oscillations of some elastic structures consisting of an elastic substrate and an ordered array of aligned nano-sized objects. Considering various shapes of nano-objects such as beams, tubes, and spheres, we investigate the spectrum of eigenfrequencies of these structures in comparison with the spectra of one nano-object and of the substrate. As a result, we find the correspondence between the spectrum of whole structure and the spectrum of one nano-object, which gives the possibility to determine few first eigenfrequencies of nano-sized objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the kinematical compatibility conditions describing interaction of a second-gradient fluid with an elastic solid possessing the surface elasticity properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]