Distance to plane elasticity orthotropy by Euler–Lagrange method

Abstract

Constitutive tensors are of common use in mechanics of materials. To determine the relevant symmetry class of an experimental tensor is still a tedious problem. For instance, it requires numerical methods in three-dimensional elasticity. We address here the more affordable case of plane (bi-dimensional) elasticity, which has not been fully solved yet. We recall first Vianello's orthogonal projection method, valid for both the isotropic and the square symmetric (tetragonal) symmetry classes. We then solve in a closed-form the problem of the distance to plane elasticity orthotropy, thanks to the Euler-Lagrange method.