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Boris Kolev

Publications and source records attributed to Boris Kolev.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Geometric theory of generalised continua using moving frames

Generalised continuum theories couple the macroscopic deformation and the micro-/meso-scopic deformation of an underlying micro-structure. They can account for internal length-scale effects and higher-order mechanical loadings absent from classical Cauchy elasticity and has shown its efficiency in modelling metamaterials. This has led to a proliferation of higher-grade and higher-order models (e.g. strain-gradient, micromorphic, micro-polar) whose underlying kinematic reduction strategies, in particular to reduce the number of material parameters, are rarely identifiable from the free energy alone. It leaves two open issues: the lack of a systematic criterion for selecting an appropriate model, and a persistent ambiguity regarding the physical status of the local frames (''directors of matter'') used in their kinematic description. Are they physical quantities describing the change of state of the given micro-structure or arbitrary kinematic descriptors of its deformation\,? This work addresses both questions through a gauge-theoretic formulation of generalised continua in finite strains. While relying on tools and modelling choices consistent with the existing geometric literature on continuum mechanics, the present approach departs from it in its objectives, aiming at a unifying classification of available mechanical models rather than the description of a specific microstructural phenomenon such as defects. In this work, generalised configurations are defined as moving frames over classical configurations, and invariance with respect to the reference generalised configuration is shown to be a necessary and sufficient condition for a gauge invariance, recovering the micromorphic theory as the general-purpose theory of the deformation of arbitrary directors of matter. A systematic classification of first-order generalised media follows from structural group reduction, while strain-gradient continua are recovered through convected frames, and finally constrained media (e.g. couple-stress) are addressed.

math-ph↗
arXiv2026

Minimal surfaces: A Lagrangian derivation of first and second variations

This article develops a rigorous Lagrangian formulation of variational calculus for minimal surfaces, using extensively the concept of pullback covariant derivative. It is shown, in particular, using a geometric argument that all tangential variations vanish. First and second normal variations are then derived.

math.DG↗
arXiv2026

The linear Elasticity complex: a natural formulation

We reformulate the Elasticity complex and Saint-Venant's compatibility condition using the generalized differential complex of Dubois-Violette-Henneaux. This is just a slight and natural modification of the de Rham complex to take account of the index symmetry of the tensors involved. An integrating formula to recover the displacement from the strain and similar to the Poincar{\'e} formula is provided. Finally, a Hodge star operator and a dual complex is introduced, which allows to recover stress potentials in dimensions 2 and 3.

math.DG↗
arXiv2025

Classical and relativistic balance of configurational forces

This article develops a unified variational framework for configurational (or material) forces in both Classical (3D, non-relativistic) and Relativistic (4D) Continuum Mechanics. Configurational forces describe the evolution of material defects-such as cracks, dislocations, and interfaces-which move relative to the material rather than through physical space. In the classical setting of hyperelasticity, the authors revisit the balance of configurational forces using an intrinsic Lagrangian formulation, where the material body is modeled as an abstract three-dimensional manifold. By treating the reference configuration as a variable and performing a Lagrangian variation with respect to it, they show that the configurational forces balance naturally emerges. Importantly, this balance equation is not independent: it is equivalent to the standard balance of linear momentum combined with constitutive relations, and it is expressed through the Eshelby stress tensor on the reference configuration. The framework is then extended to Relativistic Hyperelasticity within General Relativity. Matter is described by a matter field, a vector valued function, defined on the four-dimensional Universe, and the Lagrangian (i.e., Action) includes both matter and gravitational contributions. Two stress-energy tensors arise: the Noether stress-energy tensor (from variations with respect to the matter field) and the Hilbert stress-energy tensor (from variations with respect to the Universe metric). Assuming General Covariance, the authors prove that these tensors and their associated balance laws are equivalent. By introducing the notion of an observer and specializing to static spacetimes, the authors define a relativistic generalization of the deformation and derive a four-dimensional Eshelby tensor. They show that in Special Relativity, as in Classical Continuum Mechanics, the relativistic configurational forces balance is not a new equation but follows from the conservation laws of the Noether stress-energy tensor. Finally, they recover the classical configurational forces balance as the non-relativistic limit of the relativistic theory. Overall, the paper provides a rigorous geometric and variational interpretation of configurational forces, unifying classical and relativistic formulations and clarifying their deep connection with standard equilibrium equations.

physics.med-ph↗
arXiv2025

Relativistic second gradient theory of continuous media

Variational Relativity is a framework developed by Souriau in the sixties to better formulate General Relativity and its classical limit\,: Classical Continuum Mechanics. It has been used, for instance, to formulate Hyperelasticity in General Relativity. In that case, two primary variables are involved, the universe (Lorentzian) metric $g$ and the matter field $\Psi$. A Lagrangian density depending on the 1-jet of these variables is then introduced which must satisfy the principle of General Covariance. Souriau proved in 1958 that under these hypotheses, the Lagrangian density depends only on the punctual value of the matter field $\Psi$ and of a secondary variable $\mathbf{K}$, the conformation, an invariant of the diffeomorphism group, which is the Relativistic analog of the inverse of the right Cauchy--Green tensor. In the present work, an extension of Souriau's results to a second order gradient theory in General Relativity is presented. Accordingly, new higher order diffeomorphisms invariants are found. Their classical limits are calculated, showing that the 3-dimensional Continuum Mechanics second gradient theory can be derived from such a relativistic theory. Some of these invariants converge to objective quantities in the Galilean limit, others to non-objective quantities. The present work contributes thus to clarify the theoretical foundation of higher gradient Continuum Mechanics theory.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2024

The Haar measure in solid mechanics

This article addresses the overlooked but crucial role of the Haar measure in solid mechanics, a concept well-established in mathematical literature but frequently misunderstood by mechanicians. The aim is to provide practical insights and methodologies for the application of the Haar measure in various mechanical scenarios. The article begins with an introduction to the Haar measure, underlying its significance and a theoretical foundation for its definition and formulas. Moving beyond mathematical abstraction, the core of the article relies on practical applications, including the computation of the Haar measure for the orthogonal transformations of the 2D and 3D space under several commonly used parametrisations, an application about invariant theory in mechanics and sampling on a group orbit. These applications are presented with practical examples, enabling mechanicians to integrate the Haar measure into their research seamlessly. The article caters to a broad audience, with sections designed for both introductory comprehension and in-depth exploration. Our goal is to equip mechanicians with a valuable tool, bridging the gap between mathematical theory and practical applications in the field of mechanics.

math-ph↗
arXiv2024

Objective rates as covariant derivatives on the manifold of Riemannian metrics

The subject of so-called objective derivatives in Continuum Mechanics has along history and has generated varying views concerning their true mathematical interpretation. Several attempts have been made to provide a mathematical definition that would at least partially unify the existing notions. In this paper, we demonstrate that, under natural assumptions, all objective derivatives correspond to covariant derivatives on the infinite-dimensional manifold Met(B) of Riemannian metrics on the body. Furthermore, a natural Leibniz rule enables canonical extensions from covariant to contravariant tensor fields and vice versa. This makes the sometimes-used distinction between objective derivatives of ``Lie type'' and ``corotational type'' unnecessary. For an exhaustive list of objective derivatives found in the literature, we exhibit the corresponding covariant derivative on Met(B).

math.DG↗
arXiv2023

Computation of minimal covariants bases for 2D coupled constitutive laws

We produce minimal integrity bases for both isotropic and hemitropic invariant algebras (and more generally covariant algebras) of most common bidimensional constitutive tensors and -- possibly coupled -- laws, including piezoelectricity law, photoelasticity, Eshelby and elasticity tensors, complex viscoelasticity tensor, Hill elasto-plasticity, and (totally symmetric) fabric tensors up to twelfth-order. The concept of covariant, which extends that of invariant is explained and motivated. It appears to be much more useful for applications. All the tools required to obtain these results are explained in detail and a cleaning algorithm is formulated to achieve minimality in the isotropic case. The invariants and covariants are first expressed in complex forms and then in tensorial forms, thanks to explicit translation formulas which are provided. The proposed approach also applies to any $n$-uplet of bidimensional constitutive tensors.

math.RT↗
arXiv2023

Souriau's Relativistic general covariant formulation of hyperelasticity revisited

We present and modernize Souriau's 1958 geometric framework for Relativistic continuous media, and enlighten the necessary and the ad hoc modeling choices made since, focusing as much as possible on the Continuum Mechanics point of view. We describe the general covariant formulation of Hyperelasticity in General Relativity, and then in the particular case of a static spacetime. Finally, we apply this formalism for the Schwarzschild's metric, and recover the Classical Galilean Hyperelasticity with gravity, as the Newton-Cartan infinite light speed limit of this formulation.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2022

Minimal functional bases for elasticity tensor symmetry classes

Functional bases, synonymous with separating sets, are usually formulated for an entire vector space, such as the space Ela of elasticity tensors. We propose here to define functional bases limited to symmetry strata, i.e. sets of tensors of the same symmetry class. We provide such lowcardinal minimal bases for tetragonal, trigonal, cubic or transversely isotropic symmetry strata of the elasticity tensor.

math.RT↗
arXiv2022

Distance to a constitutive tensor isotropy stratum by Lasserre polynomial optimization method

We give a detailed description of a polynomial optimization method allowing to solve a problem in continuum mechanics: the determination of the elasticity or the piezoelectricity tensor of a specific isotropy stratum the closest to a given experimental tensor, and the calculation of the distance to the given tensor from the considered isotropy stratum. We take advantage of the fact that the isotropy strata are semialgebraic sets to show that the method, developed by Lasserre and coworkers which consists in solving polynomial optimization problems with semialgebraic constraints, successfully applies.

math.AG↗
arXiv2022

Upper bounds estimates of the distance to cubic or orthotropic elasticity

We address the problem, not of the determination -- which usually needs numerical methods -- but of an accurate analytical estimation of the distance of a raw elasticity tensor to cubic symmetry and to orthotropy. We point out that there are not one but several secondorder tensors that carry the likely cubic/orthotropic coordinate system of the raw tensor. Since all the second-order covariants of an (exactly) cubic elasticity tensor are isotropic, distance estimates based only on such covariants are not always accurate. We extend to cubic symmetry and to orthotropy the technique recently suggested by Klimeš for transverse isotropy: solving analytically an auxiliary quadratic minimization problem whose solution is a second-order tensor that carries the likely cubic coordinate system. Numerical examples are provided, on which we evaluate the accuracy of different upper bounds estimates of the distance to cubic or orthotropic symmetry.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2022

Distance to plane elasticity orthotropy by Euler-Lagrange method

Constitutive tensors are of common use in mechanics of materials. To determine the relevant symmetry class of an experimental tensor is still a tedious problem. For instance, it requires numerical methods in three-dimensional elasticity. We address here the more affordable case of plane (bi-dimensional) elasticity, which has not been fully solved yet. We recall first Vianello's orthogonal projection method, valid for both the isotropic and the square symmetric (tetragonal) symmetry classes. We then solve in a closed-form the problem of the distance to plane elasticity orthotropy, thanks to the Euler-Lagrange method.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2022

The distance to cubic symmetry class as a polynomial optimization problem

Generically, a fully measured elasticity tensor has no material symmetry. For single crystals with a cubic lattice, or for the aeronautics turbine blades superalloys such as Nickelbased CMSX-4, cubic symmetry is nevertheless expected. It is in practice necessary to compute the nearest cubic elasticity tensor to a given raw one. Mathematically formulated, the problem consists in finding the distance between a given tensor and the cubic symmetry stratum. It is known that closed symmetry strata (for any tensorial representation of the rotation group) are semialgebraic sets, defined by polynomial equations and inequalities. It has been recently shown that the closed cubic elasticity stratum is moreover algebraic, which means that it can be defined by polynomial equations only (without requirement to polynomial inequalities). We propose to make use of this mathematical property to formulate the distance to cubic symmetry problem as a polynomial (in fact quadratic) optimization problem, and to derive its quasi-analytical solution using the technique of Gr{ö}bner bases. The proposed methodology also applies to cubic Hill elasto-plasticity (where two fourth-order constitutive tensors are involved).

math.OC↗
arXiv2022

Characterization of the symmetry class of an Elasticity tensor using polynomial covariants

We formulate effective necessary and sufficient conditions to identify the symmetry class of an elasticity tensor, a fourth-order tensor which is the cornerstone of the theory of elasticity and a toy model for linear constitutive laws in physics. The novelty is that these conditions are written using polynomial covariants. As a corollary, we deduce that the symmetry classes are affine algebraic sets, a result which seems to be new. Meanwhile, we have been lead to produce a minimal set of 70 generators for the covariant algebra of a fourth-order harmonic tensor and introduce an original generalized cross product on totally symmetric tensors. Finally, using these tensorial covariants, we produce a new minimal set of 294 generators for the invariant algebra of the elasticity tensor.

math.RT↗
arXiv2022

Reduced polynomial invariant integrity basis for in-plane magneto-mechanical loading

The description of the behavior of a material subjected to multi-physics loadings requires the formulation of constitutive laws that usually derive from Gibbs free energies, using invariant quantities depending on the considered physics and material symmetries. On the other hand, most of crystalline materials can be described by their crystalline texture and the associated preferred directions of strong crystalline symmetry (the so-called fibers). Moreover, among the materials produced industrially, many are manufactured in the form of sheets or of thin layers. This article has for object the study of the magneto-mechanical coupling which is a function of the stress $σ$ and the magnetization M. We consider a material with cubic symmetry whose texture can be described by one of three fibers denoted as $θ$, $γ$ or $α$ ' , and which is thin enough so that both the stress and the magnetization can be considered as in-plane quantities. We propose an algorithm able to derive linear relations between the 30 cubic invariants I k of a minimal integrity basis describing a magneto-elastic problem, when they are restricted to in-plane loading conditions and for different fiber orientations. The algorithm/program output is a reduced list of invariants of cardinal 7 for the {100}-oriented $θ$ fiber, of cardinal 15 for the {110}-oriented $α$ ' fiber and of cardinal 8 for the {111}-oriented $γ$ fiber. This reduction (compared to initial cardinal 30) can be of great help for the formulation of low-parameter macroscopic magneto-mechanical models.

cs.CE↗
arXiv2021

An intrinsic geometric formulation of Hyper-elasticity, pressure potential and non-holonomic constraints

Isotropic hyper-elasticity, altogether with the equilibrium equation and the usual boundary conditions, are formulated directly on the body B, a three-dimensional compact and orientable manifold with boundary equipped with a mass measure. Pearson-Sewell-Beatty pressure potential is formulated in an intrinsic geometric manner. It is shown that Poincar{é}'s formula extended to infinite dimension, provides, in a straightforward manner, the optimal (non-holonomic) constraints for such a pressure potential to exist.

physics.class-ph↗