On the dependence of standard and gradient elastic material constants on a field of defects

Abstract

In this work, we consider a strain gradient elasticity theory with an extended number of field variables: the displacement vector and an additional scalar field defining the internal micro-deformation. The total internal energy of the model depends on the strain, the micro-deformation function, their gradients, and the coupling. The considered model can be treated as gradient/micromorphic. Moreover, the micro-deformation field can be treated as a field of scalar defects distributed along the medium. Based on analytic (one-dimensional) solutions of uniform/non-uniform deformation of the rod, we introduce (i) an apparent stiffness and (ii) an apparent length scale parameter. Subsequently, we provide a variant of continuum-on-continuum homogenization by equating tip displacements for the gradient/micromorphic medium and an equivalent strain gradient one. Elongation of the gradient/micromorphic rod is therefore equated with the corresponding elongation of the equivalent strain gradient rod, whose behavior is characterized by the apparent material constants. Subsequently, the non-dimensional coupling number is identified with a damage parameter. It is shown that, on the one hand, the apparent stiffness of the rod is reduced when such parameter increases. On the other hand, the apparent length scale parameter (i.e. the apparent second gradient elastic coefficient) increases when the damage parameter increases. Therefore, it is shown that the presence of defects in a second gradient linear elastic material may increase its apparent strain gradient behavior.