A state space formalism for anisotropic elasticity. Part I: Rectilinear anisotropy

A state space formalism for anisotropic elasticity including the thermal effect is developed. A salient feature of the formalism is that it bridges the compliance-based and stiffness-based formalisms in a natural way. The displacement and stress components and the thermoelastic constants of a general anisotropic elastic material appear explicitly in the formulation, yet it is simple and clear. This is achieved by using the matrix notation to express the basic equations and grouping the stress in such a way that it enables us to cast neatly the three-dimensional equations of anisotropic elasticity into a compact state equation and an output equation. The homogeneous solution to the state equation for the generalized plane problem leads naturally to the eigen relation and the sextic equation of Stroh. Extension, twisting, bending, temperature change and body forces are accounted for through the particular solution. Based on the formalism the general solution for generalized plane strain and generalized torsion of an anisotropic elastic body are determined in an elegant manner