CONSEQUENCES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY INDUCED DILATATION IN SOLIDS

Abstract : The deformation of a solid induced by swelling is equivalent to that caused by a temperature change. A generalized Duhamel- Neumann form of Hooke's law is employed to treat a wide variety of environmental problems by the joint application of solid mechanics and elementary physical chemistry. This approach is illustrated for a swollen fiber reinforced material, employing physical chemistry concepts, micromechanics, and laminated anisotropic plate theory. The specific results are applicable to the design of dimensionally stable composite materials invariable thermal or swelling environments. A new strain invariant for laminates under these types of environments is also introduced.