Derivation of models for linear viscoelastic shells by using asymptotic analysis

Abstract

We consider a family of linear viscoelastic shells with thickness $2\varepsilon$ ( $\varepsilon$ , small parameter), clamped along a portion of their lateral face, all having the same middle surface $S$. We formulate the three-dimensional mechanical problem in curvilinear coordinates and provide existence and uniqueness of (weak) solution of the corresponding three-dimensional variational problem. We are interested in studying the limit behavior of the three-dimensional problems and their solutions (displacements $\mathbf{u}^\varepsilon$ of components $u_i^\varepsilon$) when $\varepsilon$ tends to zero. To do that, we use asymptotic analysis methods. First, we formulate the variational problem in a fixed domain independent of $\varepsilon$. Then we assume an asymptotic expansion of the scaled displacements field $\mathbf{u}(\varepsilon)=(u_i(\varepsilon))$. Identifying the terms of the proposed asymptotic expansion we characterize the zeroth order term as the solution of a two-dimensional scaled limit problem. Moreover, on one hand, we find that if the applied body force density is $O(1)$ with respect to $\varepsilon$ and surface tractions density is $O(\varepsilon)$, the limit of the field $\mathbf{u}(\varepsilon)$ is the solution of a two-dimensional system of variational equations called viscoelastic membrane problem. On the other hand, if the applied body force density is $O(\varepsilon^2)$ and surface tractions density is $O(\varepsilon^3)$, the limit of the field $\mathbf{u}(\varepsilon)$ is the solution of a system of two-dimensional variational equations called viscoelastic flexural problem. In both cases, we find a model which presents a long-term memory that takes into account the deformations at previous times. We comment on the existence and uniqueness of solution for the two-dimensional variational problems found and announce convergence results in forthcoming papers.