Inhomogeneous inverse problem in finite elasticity (Q799148)

The two-dimensional ''inverse problem'' for inhomogeneous finite strain fields in isotropic elastic materials is formulated. The test specimen is assumed to be in the form of a thin plate loaded in the plane of the plate. When the thickness of the plate is sufficiently small, the deformation is known to remain nearly homogeneous throughout the thickness even for finite strains, and the strain field which is applied in order to identify the material of the test specimen can be determined from the measurable surface displacements. If the strain field and boundary tractions are given, the equilibrium conditions and the general form of the constitutive equation provide the set of equations for three non-zero stress components and three unknown material functions of isotropic finite elasticity. Thanks to the fact that, in the case of isotropic elasticity, the directions of the principal components of stress and strain coincide, the system divides into two parts, the first of which is represented by a set of linear hyperbolic partial differential equations for the stress components alone. The second part is formed by the algebraic relations that determine the material functions from the stress and strain fields. It is shown that the stress field in an inhomogeneously deformed body can be determined from the strain field and the boundary tractions without knowing the constitutive equation. The problem can thus be reduced to one of an integration along characteristics. Under a certain globally condition the existence, uniqueness and correctness of the solution of the problem is ensured throughout the body. It is shown that the globality of the solution has a close relation to whether or not the test specimen is isotropically elastic. Finally, the influence of experimental errors in the measured strain field and boundary tractions on the correctness is discussed, and an optimization procedure is suggested with respect to the formulation of the problem.