{"id":35,"date":"2025-04-28T07:35:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T07:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anemic.uniri.hr\/?page_id=35"},"modified":"2025-12-15T12:31:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T12:31:51","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/anemic.uniri.hr\/","title":{"rendered":"About the project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The core of this scientific project is Cosserats\u2019 (or micropolar) continuum theory<\/strong>, one of the possible generalisations of the classical Cauchy theory, in which couple stresses exist at the particle level. It can describe certain experimentally observed phenomena that the classical theory cannot, and is particularly applicable to natural and man-made materials with internal (micro)structure.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the micropolar theory is well established and mathematically mature, reliable procedures for determining micropolar material parameters are still lacking<\/em>. <\/strong>Even the simplest isotropic micropolar solid requires six independent material constants, yet no universally accepted methodology exists for identifying them. This gap significantly limits the practical application of the theory in engineering simulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has been achieved in our previous research?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Within our earlier CSF scientific project \u201cFixed-Pole Concept in Numerical Modelling of Cosserat Continuum\u201d (FIMCOS)<\/em><\/a>, a new family of finite elements was developed for both linear and non-linear analysis of the Cosserats\u2019 continuum.<\/strong> This significantly facilitated the process of obtaining Cosserat material parameters through a set of experimental tests in which direct measurements were coupled with numerical simulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, several experimental studies conducted<\/strong> within FIMCOS demonstrated that the use of classical-elasticity numerical procedures applied to periodic heterogeneous structures\u2014so-called virtual testing\u2014can be highly reliable. The project also produced a number of analytical studies dealing with the high-curvature pure-bending problem in orthotropic classical elasticity and isotropic micropolar elasticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, these results provide an excellent foundation and a natural starting point for the research conducted in the ANEMIC PM project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Project summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this project, we aim to address several open questions related to the theory, numerical modelling, and experimental testing of Cosserat solids. These questions emerged from the research conducted within the earlier CSF project FIMCOS, and now guide the key directions of the ANEMIC PM project:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Can an ‘inverse’ size effect<\/em>, whereby smaller specimens tend to be softer (and not stiffer) than the larger ones, still be explained by Cosserat’s continuum theory?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Can additional analytical solutions for benchmark problems in linear elasticity be derived and made use of for the identification of Cosserats’ material parameters?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Can analytical solutions for large-curvature plain-strain pure bending be extended to a wider class of hyperelastic materials <\/em>(both Cauchy’s and Cosserats’) than currently known, and can they be used to characterise such materials?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In order to answer these questions, the project will carry out a structured set of analytical, numerical, and experimental tasks, summarised in the work-plan highlights below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Work-plan highlights:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n