A mixed method for elasticity with the curl of displacements as a drilling degree of freedom

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mixed finite element method for linear elasticity that incorporates the curl of displacements as a drilling degree of freedom, enabling better modeling of rotating objects and force moments.

Contribution

The novel approach independently approximates the curl of displacements, enhancing elasticity modeling with a drilling degree of freedom.

Findings

Improved modeling of rotating bodies in elasticity simulations

Enhanced coupling with moments of force

Theoretical formulation of the mixed method

Abstract

We present a mixed method for the linearized elasticity equations with independent approximation of the curl of the displacements. The curl can be seen as a drilling degree of freedom allowing for coupling with rotating objects and the direct application of moments of force.