Notes on problems in hexagonal aeolotropic materials

Abstract

Three-dimensional stress distributions in hexagonal aeolotropic materials have recently been considered by Elliott(1, 2), who obtained a general solution of the elastic equations of equilibrium in terms of two ‘harmonic’ functions, or, in the case of axially symmetric stress distributions, in terms of a single stress function. These stress functions are analogous to the stress functions employed to define stress systems in isotropic materials, and in the present note further problems in hexagonal aeolotropic media are solved, the method in each case being similar to that used for the corresponding problem in isotropic materials. Because of this similarity detailed explanations are unnecessary and only the essential steps in the working are given below.