An unsymmetric constitutive equation for anisotropic viscoelastic fluid

A continuum constitutive theory of corotational derivative type is developed for the anisotropic viscoelastic fluid-liquid crystalline （LC） polymers. A concept of anisotropic viscoelastic simple fluid is introduced. The stress tensor instead of the velocity gradient tensor D in the classic Leslie-Ericksen theory is described by the first Rivlin-Ericksen tensor A and a spin tensor W measured with respect to a co-rotational coordinate system. A model LCP-H on this theory is proposed and the characteristic unsymmetric behaviour of the shear stress is predicted for LC polymer liquids. Two shear stresses thereby in shear flow of LC polymer liquids lead to internal vortex flow and rotational flow. The conclusion could be of theoretical meaning for the modern liquid crystalline display technology. By using the equation, extrusion-extensional flows of the fluid are studied for fiber spinning of LC polymer melts, the elongational viscosity vs. extension rate with variation of shear rate is given in figures. A considerable increase of elongational viscosity and bifurcation behaviour are observed when the orientational motion of the director vector is considered. The contraction of extru- date of LC polymer melts is caused by the high elongational viscosity. For anisotropic viscoelastic fluids, an important advance has been made in the investigation on the constitutive equation on the basis of which a seriesof new anisotropic non-Newtonian fluid problems can be addressed.

Advances in statistical mechanics of rock masses and its engineering applications

To efficiently link the continuum mechanics for rocks with the structural statistics of rock masses,a theoretical and methodological system called the statistical mechanics of rock masses(SMRM)was developed in the past three decades.In SMRM,equivalent continuum models of stressestrain relationship,strength and failure probability for jointed rock masses were established,which were based on the geometric probability models characterising the rock mass structure.This follows the statistical physics,the continuum mechanics,the fracture mechanics and the weakest link hypothesis.A general constitutive model and complete stressestrain models under compressive and shear conditions were also developed as the derivatives of the SMRM theory.An SMRM calculation system was then developed to provide fast and precise solutions for parameter estimations of rock masses,such as full-direction rock quality designation(RQD),elastic modulus,Coulomb compressive strength,rock mass quality rating,and Poisson’s ratio and shear strength.The constitutive equations involved in SMRM were integrated into a FLAC3D based numerical module to apply for engineering rock masses.It is also capable of analysing the complete deformation of rock masses and active reinforcement of engineering rock masses.Examples of engineering applications of SMRM were presented,including a rock mass at QBT hydropower station in northwestern China,a dam slope of Zongo II hydropower station in D.R.Congo,an open-pit mine in Dexing,China,an underground powerhouse of Jinping I hydropower station in southwestern China,and a typical circular tunnel in Lanzhou-Chongqing railway,China.These applications verified the reliability of the SMRM and demonstrated its applicability to broad engineering issues associated with jointed rock masses.

The Effect of Initial Defects on Overall Mechanical Properties of Concrete Material

Considering the fact that the initial defects,like the imperfect interfacial transition zones(ITZ)and the micro voids in mortar matrix,weaken the mechanical properties of concrete,this study develops corresponding constitutive models for ITZ and matrix,and simulates the concrete failure with finite element methods.Specifically,an elastic-damage traction-separation model for ITZ is constructed,and an anisotropic plastic-damage model distinguishing the strength-difference under tension and compression for mortar matrix is proposed as well.In this anisotropic plastic-damage model,the weakening effect of micro voids is reflected by introducing initial isotropic damage,the distinct characteristic of tension and compression which described by decomposing damage tensor into tensile and compressive components,and the plastic yield surface which established on the effective stress space.Furthermore,by tracking the damage evolution of concrete specimens suffering uniaxial tension and compression,the effects of imperfect status of ITZ and volume fraction of initial voids on the concrete mechanical properties are investigated.