Ricerc@Sapienza

Cosserat continua demonstrated to have peculiar mechanical properties, with respect to classic Cauchy continua, because they are able to more accurately describe heterogeneous materials, as particle composites and masonry-like material, taking into account size effects. Many studies have been devoted to their numerical implementation. In this paper, some reference benchmarks, referred to an isotropic heterogeneous sample, are shown by comparing the solutions provided by strong and weak formulations.

We operate a perturbation approach on the finite field equations for clamped slender arches with compact symmetric cross-section and parabolic centre curve under a uniform line load parallel to their symmetry axis. We study small vibration superposed on the relevant stress, assumed of membrane nature. We find the fundamental angular frequency in terms of the aspect ratio of the arch and of the pre-load; the possibility of buckling is examined. This is a first step towards monitoring such structures, and evaluating pre-loads and structural integrity by dynamic measurements.