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A class of beam-like lattice structures, or metabeams under static, sinusoidally distributed transverse loads is discussed. Their neutral axis deflects either in-phase, out-of-phase or shows no deflection, depending on the beam design parameters, and also on the spatial frequency of the static load. These outcomes contrast the behavior of continuum beams, deflecting always in-phase with the load, and they are interpreted on the basis of a positive, negative and near-infinite effective Young's modulus of the structured beams in bending. They also represent a collective effect of the behavior of multiple elements in the lattice that cannot be realized from the performance of an isolated unit cell. A long-range periodic order and nonlocality of the lattice interaction is essential for this unusual behaviors, and those are particularly pronounced at higher wavenumbers, when the load wavelength becomes comparable with the range of direct interactions in the lattice. Theoretical discussion and predictions agree well with numerical experiments performed on the basis of commonly accepted models. Practical applications could be found in advanced reinforcing materials for building foundations, deformation mitigation for lightweight structures and bridges, and in smart mechanical systems able to differentiate external stimuli and to respond selectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupled multiscale approaches for the analysis and simulation of complex multiphysics phenomena in solids have been of great interest during the past decade. These include concurrent MD/FEM models, atomistic-to-continua homogenization techniques and deterministic multiple time scale approaches. In this article we discuss a generic approach to concurrently couple the Monte-Carlo master equation of microscopic kinetic processes, not accessible by the direct particle dynamics, with the continuum mechanics formulation. This approach can be adequate for the modeling and validation of advanced contemporary materials with dynamic internal structure, as well as evolutionary and degradation processes in materials. The approach is illustrated in the application to the models of interstitial and vacancy diffusion in fuel cell catalysts and binary material systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses an x-braced metamaterial lattice with the unusual property of exhibiting bandgaps in their deformation decay spectrum, and, hence, the capacity for reprogramming deformation patterns. The design of polarizing non-local lattice arising from the scenario of repeated zero eigenvalues of a system transfer matrix is also introduced. We develop a single mode fundamental solution for lattices with multiple degrees of freedom per node in the form of static Raleigh waves. These waves can be blocked at the material boundary when the solution is constructed with the polarization vectors of the bandgap. This single mode solution is used as a basis to build analytical displacement solutions for any applied essential and natural boundary condition. Subsequently, we address the bandgap design, leading to a comprehensive approach for predicting deformation pattern behavior within the interior of an x-braced plane lattice. Overall, we show that the stiffness parameter and unit-cell aspect ratio of the x-braced lattice can be tuned to completely block or filter static boundary deformations, and to reverse the dependence of deformation or strain energy decay parameter on the Raleigh wavenumber, a behavior known as the reverse Saint Venant's edge effect (RSV). These findings could guide future research in engineering smart materials and structures with interesting functionalities, such as load pattern recognition, strain energy redistribution, and stress alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]