Help applying summation convention to tensors(generalised Hooke's law)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the summation convention to tensors, specifically in the context of generalized Hooke's law, represented as τik = CikrsErs. Participants explore the implications of this notation and how to interpret the components involved.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the meaning of the components of the tensor C and how the summation convention applies to the indices. There is uncertainty about how to correctly apply the summation convention to derive the components of τ from E.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the structure of the tensor and the implications of the indices, suggesting that the repeated indices indicate summation. There is acknowledgment of the complexity involved in deriving multiple equations from the tensor expression.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the indices range over three possible values, leading to a total of nine equations for τ. There is an ongoing exploration of how to correctly interpret the summation convention without reaching a definitive conclusion.

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I understand the simplest application of the summation convention.

x_{i}y_{i}

I create a sum of terms such that in each term the subscripts are the same i.e.
x_{1}y_{1}+x_{2}y_{2}+x_{3}y_{3}+...

But now when I look at understanding summation convention applied to the generalised Hooke's law:

\tau _{ik}=C_{ikrs}E_{rs}

I'm a bit unsure what this means. I understand that C is a tensor with 81 components and that by applying the summation convention I should get linear combinations for every \tau component (I think). But as for applying summation convention to see what exactly those sums look like I'm unsure.

The statement below doesn't seem to help my understanding either

"\tau _{ik} is a linear combination of all strain components E_{ik}"

Any assistance would be appreciated.

The Attempt at a Solution



I could hazard I guess and say I only sum when r or s equals i or k, and when r=s and i=k. Still unsure if that is correct though.
 
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From your statement about C_ikrs having 81 components, I am assuming that each index ranges over 3 possible values i.e. i = {1,2,3}, and likewise for k, r and s. since only repeated indices are summed over, this means that i and k are not summed over, and you actually have nine different equations represented here, one for each component of tau. So just cycle through all the components of tau (ie all possible values of i and k ):

$$\tau_{11} = C_{1111}E_{11} + C_{1112}E_{12} + C_{1113}E_{13} + C_{1121}E_{21} + C_{1122}E_{22} + C_{1123}E_{23} + C_{1131}E_{31} + C_{1132}E_{32} + C_{1133}E_{33}$$

And that's just ONE of the nine equations. You still have to do the same for tau_12, tau_13, tau_21 et cetera.
 
If it helps, the NON shorthand way of writing your tensor expression would have been: $$ \tau_{ik} = \sum_{r=1}^3\sum_{s=1}^3 C_{ikrs}E_{rs}$$
 
Thank you for the help. Both replies helped me understand.
 

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