Year: 2011
Type: preprint
Abstract: We present a simple discrete formula for the elastic energy of a bilayer. The formula is convenient for rapidly computing equilibrium configurations of actuated bilayers of general initial shapes. We use maps of principal curvatures and minimum-curvature direction fields to analyze configurations. We find good agreement between the computations and an approximate analytical solution for the case of a rectangular bilayer. For more general shapes (simple polyiamonds), we find a range of typical bending behaviors: overall bending directions along longest and shortest dimensions, inward bending at corners, curvature intensification near boundaries, and conical bending and partitioned bending zones in some cases.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Author: Alben, Silas
Institutions: Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2950163895