Generalized Cowin-Mehrabadi theorems and a direct proof that the number of linear elastic symmetries is eight (Q1434671)

Imposing one symmetry plane at a time, the author proves that there are exactly eight elastic symmetries for a linear anisotropic elastic material. Depending on the location of the symmetry plane, the author obtains that the orthotropic, tetragonal, trigonal or transversely isotropic or a cubic material reduces to an isotropic material when any symmetry plane is added. An interesting result obtained is the structure of the elastic matrix of a cubic material. It is shown that it can resemble a tetragonal or a trigonal material.