The problem of sharp notch in microstructured solids governed by dipolar gradient elasticity

In this paper, we deal with the asymptotic problem of a body of infinite extent with a notch (re-entrant corner) under remotely applied plane-strain or anti-plane shear loadings. The problem is formulated within the framework of the Toupin-Mindlin theory of dipolar gradient elasticity. This generalized continuum theory is appropriate to model the response of materials with microstructure. A linear version of the theory results by considering a linear isotropic expression for the strain-energy density that depends on strain-gradient terms, in addition to the standard strain terms appearing in classical elasticity. Through this formulation, a microstructural material constant is introduced, in addition to the standard Lamé constants . The faces of the notch are considered to be traction-free and a boundary-layer approach is followed. The boundary value problem is attacked with the asymptotic Knein-Williams technique. Our analysis leads to an eigenvalue problem, which, along with the restriction of a bounded strain energy, provides the asymptotic fields. The cases of a crack and a half-space are analyzed in detail as limit cases of the general notch (infinite wedge) problem. The results show significant departure from the predictions of the standard fracture mechanics

Theoretical analysis of a class of mixed, C0 continuity formulations for general dipolar Gradient Elasticity boundary value problems

AbstractMixed weak formulations, with two or three main (tensor) variables, are stated and theoretically analyzed for general multi-dimensional dipolar Gradient Elasticity (biharmonic) boundary value problems. The general structure of constitutive equations is considered (with and without coupling terms). The mixed formulations are based on various generalizations of the so-called Ciarlet–Raviart technique. Hence, C0 continuity conforming basis functions may be employed in the finite element approximations (or even, C−1 basis functions for the Cauchy stress variable). All the complicated boundary conditions, especially in the multi-dimensional scenario, are naturally considered. The main variables are the displacement vector, the double stress tensor and the Cauchy stress tensor. The latter variable may be eliminated in some of the formulations, depending on the structure of the constitutive equations. The standard continuous and discrete Babuška–Brezzi inf–sup conditions for the constraint equation, as well as, solution uniqueness for both the continuous statements and discrete approximations, are established in all cases. For the purpose of completeness, two one-dimensional mixed formulations are also analyzed. The respective constitutive equations possess general structure (with coupling terms). For the 1-D formulations, all the inf–sup conditions are satisfied, for both the continuous and discrete statements (assuming proper selection of the polynomial spaces for the main variables). Hence, the general Babuška–Brezzi theory results in quasi-optimality and stability. For multi-dimensional problems, the difficulty of deducing the inf–sup condition on the kernel is examined. Certain aspects of methodologies employed to theoretically by-pass this problem, are also discussed

Some C0-continuous mixed formulations for general dipolar linear gradient elasticity boundary value problems and the associated energy theorems

AbstractThe goal of this work is a systematic presentation of some classes of mixed weak formulations, for general multi-dimensional dipolar gradient elasticity (fourth order) boundary value problems. The displacement field main variable is accompanied by the double stress tensor and the Cauchy stress tensor (case 1 or μ−τ−u formulation), the double stress tensor alone (case 2 or μ−u formulation), the double stress, the Cauchy stress, the displacement second gradient and the standard strain field (case 3 or μ−τ−κ−ε−u formulation) and the displacement first gradient, along with the equilibrium stress (case 4 or u−θ−γ formulation). In all formulations, the respective essential conditions are built in the structure of the solution spaces. For cases 1, 2 and 4, one-dimensional analogues are presented for the purpose of numerical comparison. Moreover, the standard Galerkin formulation is depicted. It is noted that the standard Galerkin weak form demands C1-continuous conforming basis functions. On the other hand, up to first order derivatives appear in the bilinear forms of the current mixed formulations. Hence, standard C0-continuous conforming basis functions may be employed in the finite element approximations. The main purpose of this work is to provide a reference base for future numerical applications of this type of mixed methods. In all cases, the associated quadratic energy functionals are formed for the purpose of completeness

Convergence and performance of the h- and p-extensions with mixed finite element C0-continuity formulations, for tension and buckling of a gradient elastic beam

AbstractMixed formulations with C0-continuity basis functions are employed for the solution of some types of one-dimensional fourth- and sixth-order equations, resulting from axial tension and buckling of gradient elastic beams, respectively. A basic characteristic of gradient elasticity type equations is the appearance of boundary layers in the higher-order derivatives of the displacements (e.g., in the stress fields). This is due to the small parameters (related to the size of the microstructure) entering the governing equations. The proposed mixed formulations are based on generalizations of the well-known Ciarlet–Raviart mixed method, where the new main variables are related to second-order (or fourth order, for the buckling problem) derivatives of the displacement field. The continuous and discrete Babuška–Brezzi inf–sup conditions are established. The mixed formulations are numerically tested for both the uniform h- and p-extensions. With regard to the axial tension problem, the standard quasi-optimal rates of convergence are numerically verified in all cases (i.e., algebraic rate of convergence for the h-extension and exponential rate for the p-extension). On the other hand, the h-extension observed convergence rates of the critical (buckling) load for the second model problem are slightly higher than the theoretical ones found in the literature (especially for polynomial order p=1). The respective observed rates of convergence of the buckling load for the p-extension are still exponential