Complex variable theory provides powerful solution tools for many two-

dimensional elasticity problems. Employing these methods enables many

problems to be solved that would be intractable by other schemes. The method is
based on transformation of the elasticity boundary value problem in x,y – plane to
a formulation in the complex domain in terms of z = x + iy and z = x - iy . This
formulation then allows many powerful mathematical complex variable
techniques to be applied to the elasticity problem.

σ ij (x, y) σ ij (z, z)
ui (x, y) ui (z, z)
y

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Complex Formulation of Elasticity Plane
Stress Problem (Zero Body Forces)
Complex Stress Formulation in z , z
Airy Stress Function   ( z , z )
Stress Formulation in x, y
 4
 x  xy  0 
4
0 
 0 z z2 2

x y 1  _____ ______

( z, z )   z  ( z )  z  ( z )  ( z )  ( z ) 
 xy  y 2 
 0
x y  Re  z  ( z )  ( z ) 
 2 ( x   y )  0 Fundamental Stress Combinations
Using Airy Stress Function,    ______

 x   y  2   ( z )  ( z ) 
  4  0  
 y   x  2i xy  2  z  ( z )  ( z ) 
(details in text)  ( z ) and  ( z )  ( z ) ,arbitrary functions

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Complex Formulation of Plane Elasticity
Displacement Problem (Zero Body Forces)

Complex Displacement Formulation

Displacement Formulation in x, y
Complex Displacement U  u  iv
  u v  ______ ______
 u  (  )     0
2
2U  ( z )  z ( z )   ( z )
x  x y 
 3  4 , planestrain
  u v  
 2 v  (  )   0  3 
y  x y   1   , plane stress

(details in text)

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Complex Formulation Boundary Conditions

Complex Traction Vector y

d  ______ _______
 Tyn
T  iT  i   ( z )  z ( z )   ( z ) 
x
n
y
n

ds  
Resultant Boundary Loading B
Txn
B
Fx  iFy   (Txn  iTyn ) ds
A
______ _______ A
  i [  ( z )  z ( z ) ( z ) ]BA
B x
M   ( xT  yT ) dsy
n
x
n
A

 Re[( z )  z ( z )  zz ( z )]BA

(details in text)

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 General Structure of Complex Potentials
All variables in plane elasticity are expressible in terms of two arbitrary functions of a complex
variable, (z) and (z), the Kolosov- Muskhelishvili potentials. Solution to particular problems
is then reduced to finding the appropriate potentials, which satisfy the problem boundary
conditions. Solution technique is greatly aided by methods of complex variable theory.

 n
Fk
F k
x  y
( z)    ( z)   log z  z   **( z )
k 1
 ( z )   an z n log( z  zk )   *( z )
2(1  ) 4
n 0 k 1 2 (1   )
m
 n
Fk  Fk
 ( z )   bn z n ( z )   log( z  zk )   *( z ) y  x  2ixy
k 1 2(1  ) ( z )  log z  z   **( z )
k 1
n0
2(1  ) 2
(details in text)

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Example 10.4 Concentrated Force-
Moment System in an Infinite Plane
Choose Particular General Potential Forms
y
with No Stresses at Infinity
X  iY ( X  iY ) iM
( z )   log z , ( z )  log z 
2(1  ) 2(1  ) 2z Y
  ______
 1  X  iY X  iY 
 x   y  2   ( z )  ( z )       X
   (1   )  z z  x
 y   x  2i xy  2  z ( z )  ( z )  M
X  iY z ( X  iY ) 1 iM
   2
(1  ) z 2
(1  ) z z
Resultant Forces Around Circle C Enclosing Origin
______ _______

 (T  iT ) ds  i [  ( z )  z ( z )  ( z ) ]C  X  iY
n n
x y
C

  ) ds   Re[( z )  z ( z )  zz ( z )]C  M

n n
( xTy yTx
C

(text gives stress details for special case )

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Example 10.6 Stressed Infinite
Plate with a Circular Hole
Using General Infinite Multiply Connected Forms
x  y  y  x  2ixy 
( z)  z   an z n
, ( z)  z   bn z  n
4 n 1 2 n 1

Stress Fress Boundary Condition on Hole 

 r  ir r a    ( z )  ( z )  e2i [ z ( z )  ( z )]   0 

  ______

 r a
x  y y  x  2ixy
 e 2 i
2 2

 1 
   n 1  nan (e( n 1)i  e  ( n 1)i  ( n  1)e ( n 1)i )  nbn e  ( n 1)i  
n 1  a 
Equating like powers of ein determines coefficients an , bn
y  x  2ixy
a1   a 2 , an  0 (n  2)
2
x  y
b1   a 2 , b2  0, b3  a 2 a1 , bn  0 ( n  4)
2
(see text for further details)

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Conformal Mapping Applications
Establish mapping function, z  w( ) that will transform complex region in the z-
plane (actual domain) into simple region in the ζ-plane. If elasticity solution is
known for the geometry in the ζ -plane, then through appropriate transformation
formulae solution for actual problem can be easily determined. Mapping functions
that transform regions onto the unit disk will be most useful.

z  w( )

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Conformal Mapping Transformations
To use mapping concept, particular complex relations must be properly transformed
into the ζ - plane. A summary of these transformation relations are given below.
dw
z  w( )  dz  d  ,   e i 
d
Transformation of Complex Potentails
d  d 1 d  1 ( )
 ( z )   ( w( ))  1 ( ) ,  ( z )  ( w( ))  1 ( ) ,  
dz d  dz w()
Stress Combinations and Boundary Tractions
  ______
 
 (  )  (  )
      x   y  2  1  _______
1 
 w() 
 w (  ) 
2 2  _______  1( ) 1 ( ) w( )  
    2i  _______  w( )   2 
   (  ) 
 w (  ) [ w(  )] 
1
 w() 
2 
w( ) ______ _______
i  (Tx  iTy )ds  1 ( )  _______ 1 ( ) 1 ( )
n n

w( )

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Example 10.7 Stressed Infinite Plate with Elliptical Hole
1 
Mapping Function: w( )  R   m 
 
ab ab
R , m
2 ab
Potential Functions (see text for details)
S R S R
1 ( )    *( ) , 1 ( )     *( )
4 2
SR SR 
 *( )  (2  m) ,  *( )  ( m 2  1   2  m)
4 2  m 1
2

 (2 2  m 2  1)(m 2  1) 
Stresses:     S Re  2 2 2 
 m    m(   )  1 
2 2

i  2m  1  2 cos 2  m2 
On Boundary   e ,  ()  S  
 m  2m cos 2  1 
2

 m3   b 
 
 max   ( / 2)   S  
 m 1 
 S 

1  2
a

b b
 
 max  S as  0 ,   max   as   (crack case)
a a

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island
 Infinite Plate with a Central Crack
Mapping function: Exterior to Exterior
y  S
a
2
1

z  ( 1   )    z  z 2  a 2
a

( z) 
S
4
  S
2 z  a  z , ( z )   z 
2 2

2
a2 

z2  a2 
y

Stresses: x
a a
 z z 
 x   y  S Re    1
 z a z 2  a2
2 2

 zz 1 
 y   x  2i xy  Sa 2  2  
 (z  a )
2 3/2
a2 
Fracture Mechanics Interested in Near Crack Tip Fields r  1 ( z  a  rei ) 
KI   3 
x  cos 1  sin sin 
2r 2 2 2 
KI   3 
y  cos  1  sin sin 
2r 2 2 2 
KI   3
 xy  sin cos cos , K I  S a (Stress Intensity Factor)
2r 2 2 2

Elasticity Theory, Applications and Numerics

M.H. Sadd , University of Rhode Island