The torsion problem for a nonconvex stored energy function (Q684414)

This article presents an attempt at explaining experimental observations concerning the torsion of steel bars. These observations show that when the angle of twist is increased, a periodic circumferential distribution of wedge-shaped regions of large strain appears in the cross-section of the bar. Former theoretical explanations of this phenomenon involved plasticity. Here, the authors work within the framework of nonlinear elasticity. The authors thus consider a hyperelastic circular cylinder undergoing isochoric deformations that preserve the axial coordinate. They assume that the elastic energy only depends on the first invariant of the deformation gradient \(I=\| F\|^ 2\). More specifically, they assume that the energy has certain properties of nonconvexity with respect to \(\kappa=\sqrt{I-3}\). The main result is that if the angle of twist is smaller than a critical value proportional to the value of \(\kappa\) where the energy looses convexity, then the classical torsion field is an energy minimizer. On the contrary, if the angle of twist reaches this critical value (and a second critical value), a minimizing sequence is exhibited that displays the same qualitative behavior as that of the experimental data. This approach is reminiscent of the approach of \textit{J. M. Ball} and \textit{R. D. James} [Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 100, 13-52 (1987; Zbl 0629.49020)] for phase transitions in elastic crystals.