Isotropic material continuum approach

The Compliant Joint Model (CJM) was chosen for the mechanical calculations for this analysis. The CJM uses an equivalent continuum approach to model the behavior of jointed media. An equivalent continuum approach captures the average response of a jointed rock mass by distributing the response of the individual joints throughout the rock mass. The CJM in JAS3D can model up to four joint sets of arbitrary orientation, with the fractures in each set assumed to be parallel and evenly spaced. The intact rock between joints is treated as an isotropic linear-elastic material. More detailed descriptions of the CJM model can be found in Chen (1991). 

The continaum approach for isotropic materials In order to appreciate the development of the continuum approach for oriented polymers it is helpful to discuss briefly the progress made in dealing with plasticity of isotropic polymers. 

The JKR theory, similar to the Hertz theory, is a continuum theory in which two elastic semi-infinite bodies are in a non-conforming contact. Recently, the contact of layered solids has been addressed within the framework of the JKR theory. In a fundamental study, Sridhar et al. [32] analyzed the adhesion of elastic layers used in the SFA and compared it with the JKR analysis for a homogeneous isotropic half-space. As mentioned previously and depicted in Fig. 5, in SFA thin films of mica or polymeric materials ( i, /ji) are put on an adhesive layer Ej, I12) coated onto quartz cylinders ( 3, /i3). Sridhar et al. followed two separate approaches. In the first approach, based on finite element analysis, it is assumed that the thickness of the layers and their individual elastic constants are known in advance, a case which is rare. The adhesion characteristics, including the pull-off force are shown to depend not only on the adhesion energy, but also on the ratios of elastic moduli and the layers thickness. In the second approach, a procedure is proposed for calibrating the apparatus in situ to find the effective modulus e as a function of contact radius a. In this approach, it is necessary to measure the load, contact area... 

All approaches discussed in this section have been derived phenomenologically. They are based on the theory of continuum mechanics and thus do not explicitly include the microscopic mechanisms occurring in the different material classes. Furthermore, isotropic behaviour is assumed because most materials, especially metals, are polycrystalline, and their macroscopic properties are thus averaged over many grains. 

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