Determination of the average characteristics of elastic frameworks (Q1819587)

A method is proposed for the approximate calculation of the average elastic characteristics of fine-celled framework structures of periodic configuration. The method is based on approximation of the ''cell problem'' of the theory of averaging by problems on the deformation of appropriate structures of beam, shell, etc., types. It is shown that the approximate values obtainable for the average characteristics and the solution of their appropriate problems are distinguished from the exact solutions by a quantity determined only by the error of the model being used. Examples are considered, namely, beam and box frameworks, and the construction of a framework with negative Poisson's ratios. Methods for the average description of bodies containing a large number of finite vacancies enable the structure of periodic configuration to be replaced by the consideration of continuous bodies similar in mechanical behaviour but with so-called average characteristics. The problem of finding the average characteristics is reduced by \textit{L. V. Berlyand} [Dokl. Akad. Nauk Ukr. SSR, Ser. A 1983, No.2, 3-5 (1983; Zbl 0525.73069)] to the so-called cell problem of elasticity theory whose solution is quite difficult. At the same time, the solution of the cell problem in framework structures whose periodic element is a beam- or shell-type structure can be obtained by approximate methods to any accuracy, which is governed merely by the selection of the model.