A nonlinear theory for fibre-reinforced magneto-elastic rods

TL;DR

This paper develops a nonlinear model for the finite motion of magneto-elastic rods reinforced with various inclusions, analyzing how shape, orientation, and magnetic properties influence their behavior, with applications in soft-actuators.

Contribution

It introduces a new nonlinear theoretical framework for magneto-elastic rods with embedded inclusions, deriving explicit motion expressions based on external magnetic fields and material properties.

Findings

Derived closed-form expressions for rod motion.

Analyzed effects of inclusion shape and magnetic properties.

Presented case studies demonstrating actuator applications.

Abstract

We derive a model for the finite motion of a magneto-elastic rod reinforced with isotropic (spherical) or anisotropic (ellipsoidal) inclusions. The particles are assumed weakly and uniformly magnetised, rigid and firmly embedded into the elastomeric matrix. We deduce closed form expressions of the quasi-static motion of the rod in terms of the external magnetic field and of the body forces. The dependences of the motion on the shape of the inclusions, their orientation, their anisotropic magnetic properties and the Young modulus of the matrix are analysed and discussed. Two case studies are presented in which the rod is used as an actuator suspended in a cantilever configuration. This work can foster new applications in the field of soft-actuators.