Continuum Mechanics - Deformation gradient

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the deformation gradient in continuum mechanics, specifically its development and implications for the Green's deformation tensor. Participants explore mathematical relationships and substitutions involving the deformation gradient, Kronecker delta, and tensor notation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the introduction of the subscript "B" in the context of the Kronecker delta and its physical significance.
  • Another participant explains that the subscript is a dummy variable and does not affect the outcome, as it equals zero when B is not equal to A.
  • There is a discussion about the use of the Kronecker delta to express dot products of vectors and how it relates to the quantities involved in the deformation gradient.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the substitution of the Kronecker delta in the equations and its implications when considering cases where indices are equal or different.
  • Further clarification is sought on the physical meaning of the expression involving the Kronecker delta and the relationship between the deformation gradient tensor and the squared lengths of vectors.
  • Another participant introduces the Einstein summation convention and discusses tensorial notation, emphasizing the relationship between the deformed and undeformed configurations through the deformation gradient tensor.
  • There is mention of the Cauchy-Green tensor and the finite strain tensor, but the discussion remains focused on the mathematical relationships rather than reaching a consensus on interpretations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and confusion regarding the mathematical substitutions and physical interpretations involved in the deformation gradient. No consensus is reached on the clarity of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the mathematical expressions and the potential for confusion arising from the introduction of new variables and the use of tensor notation. The discussion highlights the need for careful consideration of indices and their implications in tensor calculus.

tricha122
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Hi all,

I am trying to self-learn continuum mechanics, and I have a question regarding the development of the deformation gradient (which ultimately leads to green's deformation tensor).

I have attached the specifics of the question in a attached photo.

Ultimately, there comes a point when determining the deformation using the change in magnitude of the square of dX and dx:

dx^2 - dX^2 = dxidxi-dXadXa

However, somehow using a previous equation (dxi = xi,adXa) and the susbtitution property of the kronecker delta, they come up with:

dx^2 - dX^2 = xi,adXa*xi,bdXb - delta(ab)*dXa*dXb

My question is - how was the kronecker delta substituted in? There is no direction associated with magnitudes. Further - where did the subscript "B" come from and what does it represent physically?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

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First the subscript B is introduced as part of the kronecker delta, δij or δAB here.

It is only a dummy and does not really matter since if B ≠ a then δAB = 0

Which brings us to why the kronecker?

Well this is a way of writing the dot product of the vectors dXi and dxi etc.

Don't forget that the quantities in this diagram are vectors so additions and multiplicasions are vector additions and multiplications.
 
Studiot said:
First the subscript B is introduced as part of the kronecker delta, δij or δAB here.

It is only a dummy and does not really matter since if B ≠ a then δAB = 0

Which brings us to why the kronecker?

Well this is a way of writing the dot product of the vectors dXi and dxi etc.

Don't forget that the quantities in this diagram are vectors so additions and multiplicasions are vector additions and multiplications.


Thank you for your response. However, I still am trying to wrap my head around the introduction of a new variable.

After substiuting out dXa,

(dx)^2 - (dX)^2 = (xi,a*xi,a - 1)*dXa*dXa

how does the kronecker delta substitute (dijej = ei) in here to get the next equation?

(dx^2) - (dX)^2 = (xi,a*xi,b - dab)*dXa*dXb

if a = b, then you get the previous equation.

If a =/ b, then you get

(dx^2) - (dX)^2 = (xi,a*xi,b)*dXa*dXb

which I am not sure what that means physically.
 
tricha122 said:
Thank you for your response. However, I still am trying to wrap my head around the introduction of a new variable.

After substiuting out dXa,

(dx)^2 - (dX)^2 = (xi,a*xi,a - 1)*dXa*dXa

how does the kronecker delta substitute (dijej = ei) in here to get the next equation?

(dx^2) - (dX)^2 = (xi,a*xi,b - dab)*dXa*dXb

if a = b, then you get the previous equation.

If a =/ b, then you get

(dx^2) - (dX)^2 = (xi,a*xi,b)*dXa*dXb

which I am not sure what that means physically.

Further, Cab = xi,a*xi,b = F^t * F confusing me even further suggesting that xi,a xi,b are the transpose of each other when a=b.
 
You realize, of course, that the Einstein summation convention is being used here. Thus,

dX_adX_a=\delta_{a,b}dX_adX_b=(dX_1)^2 +(dX_2)^2 +(dX_3)^2

In tensorial notation, δi,j are the components of the identity tensor (aka, unit tensor or metric tensor) I.

It is often more revealing to write these equations in dyadic tensor notation. Let dx represent a differential position vector between two material points in the deformed configuration of the body, and let dX represent the differential position vector between these same two material points prior to the deformation. The vectors dx and dX can be related to one another in terms of the deformation gradient tensor F:

\mathbf{dx}=\mathbf{F}\cdot\mathbf{dX}

The squared length of the vector dx in the deformed configuration of the body can be determined by taking the dot product of dx with itself:

\mathbf{dx}\cdot\mathbf{dx}=\mathbf{dX}\cdot (\mathbf {F^T}\cdot\mathbf{F})\cdot\mathbf{dX}

The change in the squared length of the differential position vector between the two material points in the deformed and undeformed configurations of the body is given by:

\mathbf{dx}\cdot\mathbf{dx}-\mathbf{dX}\cdot\mathbf{dX} =\mathbf{dX}\cdot (\mathbf {F^T}\cdot\mathbf{F}-\mathbf{I})\cdot\mathbf{dX}

The Cauchy-Green tensor is defined by:

\mathbf{C}=\mathbf {F^T}\cdot\mathbf{F}

So \mathbf{dx}\cdot\mathbf{dx}-\mathbf{dX}\cdot\mathbf{dX} =\mathbf{dX}\cdot (\mathbf {C-I})\cdot\mathbf{dX}

It is also possible to define the finite strain tensor E as:

2\mathbf{E}=\mathbf{C-I}

I hope this helps.

Chet
 

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