Reduced models of swelling-induced bending of gel bars

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to present a class of reduced models borrowed from structural mechanics aimed at specifically describing swelling-induced bending deformations in a gel bar. A distinct bending pattern to be confirmed by an appropriate experimental setup is evidenced through the analysis of a plane stress-diffusion model. Moreover, a further reduced 1D stress-diffusion model driven by an integro-differential equation is derived. In particular, it is shown that there exists a range of the material parameters where the standard 10 diffusion equation holds. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Elasticity and stability of shape-shifting structures

“…The alternative, inverse problem -predicting what metric to program to achieve a specific 3D shapemay be even more desirable [270]. In addition to the contributions from the sheet's elastic energy, understanding the dynamic morphing of a swelling structure, such as the curling of paper [271,272], gels [273], and rubber [257,274], poses additional challenges [275,276]. An intricate photolithography technique, e.g.…”

Nanoscale Topography and Poroelastic Properties of Model Tissue Breast Gland Basement Membranes

“…The poroelastic properties of the membranes resulting from the fitting procedure are summarized in Table 1. We remark that the values of the shear and bulk moduli refer to the free swelling equilibrium, i.e., the undeformed membrane, and vary, for instance, with the hydration level (26). To validate the model, the force-relaxation curve for F = 0.5 nN, R = 3.5 µm was simulated, for each membrane, using the parameter values fitted to reproduce the (F = 1 nN, R = 3.5 µm) curve.…”

Transient analysis of swelling-induced large deformations in polymer gels

“…To our knowledge, the nonlinear models available in the scientific literature have never been tested about the ability to catch bending patterns. Two of the authors have recently dealt with this topic within the framework of a poroelastic plane stress-diffusion model achieving good agreement with experimental data (Lucantonio and Nardinocchi, 2012). In this section, we consider the problem set above within the framework of the nonlinear theory described in this paper and solve the numerical simulation via our FE computational model.…”

“…In order to set the bases for investigating the consistency between the nonlinear theory and the linear poroelastic approach, as presented in Doi (2009) and recently discussed in Lucantonio and Nardinocchi (2012), the swelling process from an initially swollen, stress-free, and homogeneous configuration is studied (see Section 3). A further swelling determines the successive configurations of the body which may be accompanied by inhomogeneities involving both stress, strain, and solvent imbibition.…”