Hysteresis in discrete systems of possibly interacting elements with a double-well energy (Q1322789)

The authors study the hysteretic response of a discrete system constituted by a finite number of snap-spring elements whose energy presents two parabolic wells. This is supposed to represent to some extent the observed mechanical response of the pseudoelastic type of some metallic alloys. The guideline is that, in many circumstances, the hysteresis may be due to the presence of relative minimizers of a potential, hence metastable states. The paper analyzes in detail these relative minimizers and the barriers that separate them. This modelling will perhaps bring a better understanding of some continuum theories recently proposed to model solid-solid phase transitions. The paper presents no mathematical sophistication and can be read by all.