On commutativity and near commutativity of translational and rotational averages: analytical proofs and numerical examinations (Q2323628)

The special cases of symmetry classes, which correspond to special relations among the elasticity parameters, are discussed. A spatial average over an inhomogeneity, and an average over an anisotropic symmetry group are viewed. It is shown that these averages do not commute, and that noncommutativity is a function of the strength of anisotropy. A perturbation of the elasticity parameters about a point of weak anisotropy results in the commutator of the two types of averaging being of the order of the square of this perturbation. Thus, these averages nearly commute in the case of weak anisotropy. The commutativity diagrams between the two averages are formulated analytically. The authors proceed from generally anisotropic layers to a monoclinic medium, from monoclinic layers to an orthotropic medium, and from orthotropic layers to a tetragonal medium. Transversely isotropic layers, which result in a transversely isotropic or isotropic medium, are discussed. The authors examine numerically the commutativity, which allows to consider the case of weak anisotropy.