Linear elasticity for constrained materials: Incompressibility (Q1805177)

The theory of incompressible linear elasticity may present some complications for traction boundary value problems due to the difficulty of formulation in terms of the Cauchy stress on the unknown deformed boundary. Formulation with care in terms of the Piola-Kirchhoff stress may be preferable. For constrained materials large loads may not be incompatible with small strains as in unconstrained materials. In such situations the classical elasticity solution of the Piola-Kirchhoff traction (dead load) boundary value problem has errors in the displacement, strain and stress that are first order in the strain. The classical solution of the Cauchy traction problem provides correct values for the Cauchy stress and the strain, but the value of the associated Piola-Kirchhoff stress is in error by a term that is first order in the strain. A linear theory is derived from the Piola-Kirchhoff formulation of the finite elasticity constitutive equation for stress and is referred to as linearized finite elasticity as opposed to classical (linear) elasticity. Applications of both these approximations are made to specific problems and comparisons drawn. Attention is paid to the non-uniqueness that may arise when the linearized finite elasticity equation is used.