Donghao Li, Ziang Peng, Yuzhen Chen, Yongzhong Huo
{"title":"An extended neo-classical model for nematic elastomers with transversely isotropic semisoft elasticity","authors":"Donghao Li, Ziang Peng, Yuzhen Chen, Yongzhong Huo","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nematic elastomers exhibit transversely isotropic semisoft elasticity due to the coupling of the liquid crystal mesogen and polymer network. Existing constitutive models are unable to simultaneously capture both the elastic anisotropy at small deformations and the semisoft stress plateau under large orthogonal loadings. Based on the decompositions of the strain energy and the deformation gradient, we propose an extended neo-classical model for nematic elastomers, which consists of a transversely isotropic soft elastic energy plus a semisoft penalty for the free rotation of the liquid crystal director. The proposed model contains four temperature-dependent material parameters that can be determined through experiments. The determination of the material parameters by thermal-mechanical experiments is illustrated. Also, the temperature dependences of the material parameters are summarized into empirical formulae based on experimental and theoretical studies. Analytical and numerical examples are given to demonstrate that the proposed model can capture both the transversely isotropic elasticity at the small deformations and the stress-induced director rotations with large shear deformations at larger deformations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"199 ","pages":"Article 106077"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhijun Dai , Ya Wen , Zhiang Chen, Yijian Chen, Yifan Yang, Mengdi Gao, Yuzhen Chen, Fan Xu
{"title":"Unusual stretching–twisting of liquid crystal elastomer bilayers","authors":"Zhijun Dai , Ya Wen , Zhiang Chen, Yijian Chen, Yifan Yang, Mengdi Gao, Yuzhen Chen, Fan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106066","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106066","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), as a unique class of smart soft materials combining the properties of liquid crystals and hyperelasticity, are capable of rapid, anisotropic, and reversible deformations in response to mechanical, thermal or optical stimuli. Here, we report a hitherto unknown stretching-induced twisting behavior of LCE bilayer strips. Under uniaxial stretching, we reveal that due to the spontaneous mismatch strain arising from interlayer anisotropy, the bilayer strips exhibit notable twisting deformations. We develop an LCE bilayer strip model based on semi-soft elasticity to quantitatively understand and predict such intriguing tension-twisting response. Based on our experiments and theoretical analyses, we systematically explore how the liquid crystal director orientation, geometric dimensions and material parameters of the strips would affect the twisting behavior. We find that when the alignment of directors of bilayer are symmetric about the stretching direction, a larger deviation angle of the initial directors results in a more significant twisting deformation. Additionally, a longer, narrower and thicker strip has a more pronounced twisting effect. Furthermore, the material anisotropy encourages the twisting, while the feature of semi-soft elasticity discourages it. The findings not only reveal the tension-twisting coupling behavior of LCE bilayer strips, but also offer new insights into the design of LCE actuators, intelligent structures and soft robots.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 106066"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143418497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of axisymmetric necking of a circular dielectric membrane based on a one-dimensional model","authors":"Xiang Yu , Yibin Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To facilitate the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the electric breakdown of dielectric elastomers, we derive a one-dimensional (1d) model for axisymmetric necking in a dielectric membrane subjected to equibiaxial stretching and an electric field, starting from the three-dimensional (3d) nonlinear electroelasticity theory. Our reduction is built on the variational asymptotic method, so that the resulting 1d model is asymptotically self-consistent. The 1d model offers an easier and more efficient way to analyze axisymmetric necking in a dielectric membrane in the linear, weakly nonlinear and fully nonlinear regimes. It delivers results identical to the 3d theory in the linear and weakly nonlinear regimes, and near-identical results in the fully nonlinear regime due to its asymptotic self-consistency. We demonstrate the straightforward implementation of this 1d model by solving it using the Rayleigh–Ritz method and validate it by comparison with finite-element simulations. The 1d model enables a precise calculation of the minimum thickness that a dielectric membrane can reach when necking instability occurs and quantitative assessment of the effects of imperfections so that the integrity of a dielectric elastomer actuator can be evaluated with respect to electric breakdown. The developed methodology is not problem-specific and can also be applied to analyze similar phenomena in other soft materials subjected to any fields (e.g., the axisymmetric necking of stretched plastic membranes).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 106071"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143430203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mechanics of liquid crystal inclusions in soft matrices","authors":"Yifei Bai, Laurence Brassart","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The mechanical behaviour of composites of liquid crystal inclusions embedded in soft matrices involves a complex interplay between the elasticity of the matrix, the surface elasticity of the interfaces, and the reorientation of the liquid crystal molecules. Directors of the (nematic) liquid crystal tend to be aligned in the bulk, but may ”anchor” along the interface. In addition, the interface deforms according to the bulk deformation, while trying to minimise the surface area. In this paper, we present a continuum theory for an incompressible hyperelastic matrix containing nematic liquid crystal inclusions. The elastic energy of the inclusions, attributed to the distortion of the director field, is described using Landau–de Gennes theory. The matrix is described as an incompressible neo-Hookean solid. Anchoring effects at the inclusion–matrix interface are described through anisotropic surface tension. The model is implemented numerically using the FEniCSx finite element code. Through parametric study, we investigate the impact of energy competitions on the macroscopic and inclusion responses. Similar to the case of liquid inclusions, composites containing liquid crystal inclusions can be stiffer or softer than the matrix, depending on the value of the elasto-capillary number. The softening or stiffening effect is further affected by the distortional energy of the inclusion and the anchoring strength of the interface. Conversely, applied mechanical loads can reorient the director field. In particular, we show that stress-induced reorientation is significant when the dimensionless volume of the inclusion is large, involving alignment of the directors under tension, and disorientation under compression. The proposed theory and new physical insights could be useful for the design of smart stimuli-responsive materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 106070"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143387598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peijie Zhang , Xueyan Chen , Penghui Yu , Kun Zhao , Haoxiang Ma , Shiqiu Liu , Huifeng Tan , Vincent Laude , Muamer Kadic
{"title":"Grid hollow octet truss lattices that are stable at low relative density","authors":"Peijie Zhang , Xueyan Chen , Penghui Yu , Kun Zhao , Haoxiang Ma , Shiqiu Liu , Huifeng Tan , Vincent Laude , Muamer Kadic","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106068","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106068","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Stretching-dominated lattice materials are renowned for their lightweight nature and exceptional mechanical properties. These materials, however, have historically struggled with scalability towards low relative densities at which they often exhibit unstable oscillation behavior. Here, we propose a viable solution to this issue by integrating hollow truss elements and a grid distribution into the conventional octet truss lattice. The proposed grid hollow octet truss lattices demonstrate significant improvement over the conventional octet truss lattice, with stiffness and specific energy absorption capacities respectively 25.8% and 98% larger. To quantitatively assess the stability of low relative density metamaterials, three metrics are proposed and validated. The effect on the mechanical properties of the octet lattice of the ratio of inner to outer radius and of the grid number are comprehensively investigated numerically. Numerical simulations indicate that larger geometrical parameters and grid numbers significantly enhance the stability of the octet lattice. Consequently, the proposed lattices exhibit comparable energy absorption capacity as smooth shell lattices at equivalent relative density but demonstrate a more stable nonlinear response, maintaining nearly constant stress levels at a relative density of 0.1. Experimental validation supports these findings, highlighting potential for applications to load bearing and energy absorption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 106068"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143377762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A unified anisotropic phase field model for progressive failure of fiber-reinforced composite materials","authors":"Yuanfeng Yu , Chi Hou , Meiying Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106063","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106063","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fiber-reinforced composite materials have gained considerable traction in various applications due to their exceptional properties, but the multicomponent nature makes their failure modes more complex, so the research of failure mechanism for composites is very important for the safety of the structure in use. In this work, a new unified anisotropic phase field model is proposed. Firstly, a new crack surface density function is developed, drawing on the characteristics of both double and single phase field models, as well as the fracture behavior of composites. This new function retains the advantages of the previous models. Meanwhile, to more accurately portray failure behavior in matrix-dominated fractures, a new mixed-mode damage evolution driving force is presented. In addition, the analytical solution of the model is derived, and the relationships between the model parameters and stress and strain, together with crack bandwidth, are established. Furthermore, 2D and 3D Hashin failure criteria are derived from the phase field model, and the damage initiation criterion and evolution law of the model are constructed. Finally, the new model is validated by some examples, and the influences of the model parameters on the load-displacement response and the crack pattern are analyzed. The simulation results align well with the experimental findings, theoretical analyses, and reference numerical results, demonstrating the validity and accuracy of the presented model.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 106063"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tara K. Venkatadri , Chuwei Ye , Tal Cohen , Shaoting Lin
{"title":"Torsion-mediated instabilities in confined elastic layers","authors":"Tara K. Venkatadri , Chuwei Ye , Tal Cohen , Shaoting Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106064","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106064","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When a soft elastic layer confined between two rigid substrates is subjected to tensile loads, the stressed layer exhibits various modes of elastic instability that influence its mechanical response. While previous studies have primarily focused on analyzing these instabilities under normal tension, this study systematically investigates the impact of combined tension–torsion loading on the emergence of fingering and fringe instabilities. Through a combination of theoretical, experimental, and numerical analysis, we show that the application of torsion can tune the mode of instabilities in elastic layers with moderate aspect ratios. We also demonstrate that torsion controls the monotonicity of the stress–stretch relationship in elastic layers with large aspect ratios. We construct a phase diagram that delineates the mode of instability and the monotonicity of the stress–stretch curve in confined elastic layers as a function of the applied torsion angle and the sample’s aspect ratio. This work not only provides mechanistic insights into the role of torsion in stabilizing the response of confined elastic layers, but also offers a valuable tool for designing soft yet tough adhesive systems capable of withstanding complex mechanical loads.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 106064"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143395135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kasra Taghikhani , William Huber , Peter J. Weddle , Mohsen Asle Zaeem , J.R. Berger , Robert J. Kee
{"title":"Modeling coupled electro-chemo-mechanical phenomena within all-solid-state battery composite cathodes","authors":"Kasra Taghikhani , William Huber , Peter J. Weddle , Mohsen Asle Zaeem , J.R. Berger , Robert J. Kee","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106060","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106060","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage. However, realizing their potential requires an understanding of their underlying coupled, multiphysics behaviors. In an effort to understand these complex interactions, the present paper develops and applies a finite-element phase-field model that represents coupled electro-chemo-mechanical behaviors in composite ASSBs cathodes. The model predicts stress distributions as well as fracture and phase separations under several operating conditions. The results show that structural disintegration and the resulting loss of active surface area creates tortuous pathways for Li and Li-ion transport, contributing to capacity fade. The model is used to investigate the sensitivity of cell performance to different variables. The model evaluates the effects of electrode/electrolyte material properties, such as material stiffness and fracture toughness; microstructural characteristics, such as porosity and void distribution; and operating conditions such as charge/discharge rates and externally applied pressure. The voltage responses are validated using previously published experimental measurements. The model can be used to inform microstructural design and operating conditions that minimize or prevent mechanical damage during multiphysical interactions in ASSBs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"198 ","pages":"Article 106060"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jin-Hui Zhou , Lin Zhang , Sen-Zhen Zhan , Qiao Zhang , Yuxin Sun , Xi-Qiao Feng , Zi-Long Zhao
{"title":"Parthenocissus tricuspidata tendril: A mechanically robust structural design with multiple functions","authors":"Jin-Hui Zhou , Lin Zhang , Sen-Zhen Zhan , Qiao Zhang , Yuxin Sun , Xi-Qiao Feng , Zi-Long Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Through an array of spatially distributed tendril pads, <em>Parthenocissus tricuspidata</em> adheres itself firmly to the surfaces of targets such as trees and walls. The tendril pads, which form unique and intriguing layouts, play a critical role in supporting plant organs. However, the relationship between their geometric forms and mechanical properties remains inadequately understood. In this paper, we combine experimental measurement, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation to decipher the morphomechanics of <em>P. tricuspidata</em> tendrils. The structural geometry and load-bearing capability of the tendrils were measured. A structural mechanics model, supported by finite element simulations, is proposed to analyze the properties of different tendril layouts. The results show that the gradually narrowing distribution of the pads and the zigzag pattern of the main axis synergistically make the tendrils a comprehensively excellent mechanical design. The tendrils can simultaneously achieve superb mechanical robustness, outstanding load-bearing capability, and high efficiency of material usage. We develop an optimization method, and find that the optimized tendril layout is similar to the real one. It is also revealed that the real pad distribution renders a flaw-insensitive design. As their branchlets or pads are partly broken, the tendrils can still effectively accommodate external forces in different directions, and their structural stiffnesses do not change significantly. This work not only deepens our understanding of the structure–property–function interrelations of <em>P. tricuspidata</em> tendrils, but also provides inspirations for the design of, e.g., high-performance suspended cables.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 106065"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143349236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The deformation mode transition of indented elastic thin shell induced by localized curvature imperfection","authors":"Chongxi Jiao, Xinming Qiu","doi":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmps.2025.106039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Numerous studies have indicated that spherical thin shells exhibit imperfection sensitivity under external pressure or top-indentation, which can greatly impair their loading strength and stability. In this paper, a surprising shift in buckling behavior is achieved for elastic thin shell by locally manipulating the annular imperfection of curvature on a sphere, which reverses the harmfulness wrought by defects. Combined with experiments and simulations, four distinct deformation modes (<em>Near-perfect, Negative, Transitional</em>, and <em>Positive</em>) are detected to exist in the studied parameter space, widely altering the indentation response from notable snap-through to rigid performance without initial bifurcation. Moreover, these diverse characteristics can be successfully captured by a novel theory proposed for solving the axisymmetric behavior of finite curved surface in elasticity. The comprehensive analysis of the intrinsic mechanism of deformation mode transition reveals the significant role of the geometry parameters of imperfections. It turns out that the depth of imperfection is crucial for the mode evolution, while the defect width and curvature radius control the mechanical properties in detail to achieve optimal performance. The design of localized curvature defect gifts the spherical shell with multiple functions that cannot be possessed by itself, including high stiffness and response peak by <em>Positive</em> mode, extremely negative stiffness and post-buckling obstruction by <em>Negative</em> mode, and enhanced energy absorption by <em>Transitional</em> mode. These advantages provide a new possibility for improving the performance of thin shells, and open up a broad prospect for potential applications in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17331,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Mechanics and Physics of Solids","volume":"197 ","pages":"Article 106039"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143349237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}