University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Uniaxial nematic elastomers: Constitutive framework and a simple application

Chen, Yi-Chao; Fried, Eliot

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/325

Description

Title
Uniaxial nematic elastomers: Constitutive framework and a simple application
Author(s)
  • Chen, Yi-Chao
  • Fried, Eliot
Issue Date
2005-06
Abstract
Using a geometrical approach to treat the constraints associated with the continuum description of uniaxial nematic elastomers, we develop the general constitutive framework for such materials. We also provide a variational formulation of equilibrium and use that formulation to discuss the response of a tubular specimen pressurized internally. The analysis demonstrates the existence of a pair of disconnected solution branches. Of these branches, one is stable at low pressure and the other is stable at high pressure. An intemediate regime within which both branches are stable indicates that during loading the specimen may undergo a discontinuous jump from one solution branch to another and thus suggests the possibility of using nematic elastomers for pressure-sensitive optical switches.
Publisher
Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (UIUC)
Series/Report Name or Number
TAM Reports 1067, (2005)
ISSN
0073-5264
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/325

Owning Collections

Technical Reports - Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) PRIMARY
TAM technical reports include manuscripts intended for publication, theses judged to have general interest, notes prepared for short courses, symposia compiled from outstanding undergraduate projects, and reports prepared for research-sponsoring agencies.