Smooth conformal alpha-NEM for Gradient Elasticity
Rajagopal A, Scherer M, Steinmann P, Sukumar N (2009)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2009
Journal
Book Volume: 1
Pages Range: 83-109
Journal Issue: 1
Abstract
Strain gradient theory for continuum analysis has kinematic relations, which include terms from second gradients of the deformation map. This results in balance equations that have fourth order spatial derivatives, supplemented with higher order boundary conditions. The weak formulation of fourth order operators stipulate that the basis functions must be globally C 1 continuous; very few finite elements in two dimensions meet this requirement. In this paper, we propose a meshfree methodology for the analysis of gradient continua using a conformal alpha-shape based natural element method (NEM). The conformal alpha-NEM allows the construction of models entirely in terms of nodes, and ensures quadratic precision of the interpolant over convex and non-convex boundaries. Smooth natural neighbor interpolants are achieved by a transformation of Farin's C 1 interpolant, which are obtained by embedding Sibson's natural neighbor coordinates in the Bernstein-Bezier surface representation of a cubic simplex. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
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APA:
Rajagopal, A., Scherer, M., Steinmann, P., & Sukumar, N. (2009). Smooth conformal alpha-NEM for Gradient Elasticity. The International journal of structural changes in solids: mechanics and applications, 1(1), 83-109.
MLA:
Rajagopal, Amirtham, et al. "Smooth conformal alpha-NEM for Gradient Elasticity." The International journal of structural changes in solids: mechanics and applications 1.1 (2009): 83-109.
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