Characteristic equation solution strategy for deriving fundamental analytical solutions of 3D isotropic elasticity

Abstract

A simple characteristic equation solution strategy for deriving the fundamental analytical solutions of 3D isotropic elasticity is proposed. By calculating the determinant of the differential operator matrix obtained from the governing equations of 3D elasticity, the characteristic equation which the characteristic general solution vectors must satisfy is established. Then, by substitution of the characteristic general solution vectors, which satisfy various reduced characteristic equations, into various reduced adjoint matrices of the differential operator matrix, the corresponding fundamental analytical solutions for isotropic 3D elasticity, including Boussinesq-Galerkin (B-G) solutions, modified Papkovich-Neuber solutions proposed by Min-zhongWANG (P-N-W), and quasi HU Hai-chang solutions, can be obtained. Furthermore, the independence characters of various fundamental solutions in polynomial form are also discussed in detail. These works provide a basis for constructing complete and independent analytical trial functions used in numerical methods.