arXiv subjects

Ulisse Stefanelli

Publications and source records attributed to Ulisse Stefanelli.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Existence of varifold minimizers for the multiphase Canham-Helfrich functional

We address the minimization of the Canham-Helfrich functional in presence of multiple phases. The problem is inspired by the modelization of heterogeneous biological membranes, which may feature variable bending rigidities and spontaneous curvatures. With respect to previous contributions, no symmetry of the minimizers is here assumed. Correspondingly, the problem is reformulated and solved in the weaker frame of oriented curvature varifolds. We present a lower semicontinuity result and prove existence of single- and multiphase minimizers under area and enclosed-volume constrains. Additionally, we discuss regularity of minimizers and establish lower and upper diameter bounds.

math.AP↗

arXiv2020

Ripples in graphene: A variational approach

Suspended graphene samples are observed to be gently rippled rather than being flat. In [M. Friedrich, U. Stefanelli. Graphene ground states, arXiv:1802.05049], we have checked that this nonplanarity can be rigorously described within the classical molecular-mechanical frame of configurational-energy minimization. There, we have identified all ground-state configurations with graphene topology with respect to classes of next-to-nearest neighbor interaction energies and classified their fine nonflat geometries. In this second paper on graphene nonflatness, we refine the analysis further and prove the emergence of wave patterning. Moving within the frame of [M. Friedrich, U. Stefanelli. Graphene ground states, arXiv:1802.05049], rippling formation in graphene is reduced to a two-dimensional problem for one-dimensional chains. Specifically, we show that almost minimizers of the configurational energy develop waves with specific wavelength, independently of the size of the sample. This corresponds remarkably to experiments and simulations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Penalization via global functionals of optimal-control problems for dissipative evolution

We consider an optimal control problem for an abstract nonlinear dissipative evolution equation. The differential constraint is penalized by augmenting the target functional by a nonnegative global-in-time functional which is null-minimized in the evolution equation is satisfied. Different variational settings are presented, leading to the convergence of the penalization method for gradient flows, noncyclic and semimonotone flows, doubly nonlinear evolutions, and GENERIC systems.

math.OC↗

arXiv2019

Crystallization in a one-dimensional periodic landscape

We consider the crystallization problem for a finite one-dimensional collection of identical hard spheres in a periodic energy landscape. This issue arises in connection with the investigation of crystalline states of ionic dimers, as well as in epitaxial growth on a crystalline substrate in presence of lattice mismatch. Depending on the commensurability of the radius of the sphere and the period of the landscape, we discuss the possible emergence of crystallized states. In particular, we prove that crystallization in arbitrarily long chains is generically not to be expected.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

An order approach to SPDEs with antimonotone terms

We consider a class of parabolic stochastic partial differential equations featuring an antimonotone nonlinearity. The existence of unique maximal and minimal variational solutions is proved via a fixed-point argument for nondecreasing mappings in ordered spaces. This relies on the validity of a comparison principle.

math.AP↗

arXiv2019

Pinning of Interfaces by Localized Dry Friction

We consider a model for the evolution of an interface in a heterogeneous environment governed by a parabolic equation. The heterogeneity is introduced as obstacles exerting a localized dry friction. Our main result establishes the emergence of a rate-independent hysteresis for suitable randomly distributed obstacles, i.e., interfaces are pinned by the obstacles until a certain critical applied driving force is exceeded. The treatment of such a model in the context of pinning and depinning requires a comparison principle. We prove this property and hence the existence of viscosity solutions. Moreover, under reasonable assumptions, we show that viscosity solutions are equivalent to weak solutions.

math.AP↗

arXiv2019

Two structure-preserving time discretizations for gradient flows

The equality between dissipation and energy drop is a structural property of gradient-flow dynamics. The classical implicit Euler scheme fails to reproduce this equality at the discrete level. We discuss two modifications of the Euler scheme satisfying an exact energy equality at the discrete level. Existence of discrete solutions and their convergence as the fineness of the partition goes to zero are discussed. Eventually, we address extensions to generalized gradient flows, GENERIC flows, and curves of maximal slope in metric spaces.

math.NA↗

arXiv2019

Dynamic perfect plasticity and damage in viscoelastic solids

In this paper we analyze an isothermal and isotropic model for viscoelastic media combining linearized perfect plasticity (allowing for concentration of plastic strain and development of shear bands) and damage effects in a dynamic setting. The interplay between the viscoelastic rheology with inertia, elasto-plasticity, and unidirectional rate-dependent incomplete damage affecting both the elastic and viscous response, as well as the plastic yield stress, is rigorously characterized by showing existence of weak solutions to the constitutive and balance equations of the model. The analysis relies on the notions of plastic-strain measures and bounded-deformation displacements, on sophisticated time-regularity estimates to establish a duality between acceleration and velocity of the elastic displacement, on the theory of rate-independent processes for the energy conservation in the dynamical-plastic part, and on the proof of the strong convergence of the elastic strains. Existence of a suitably defined weak solutions is proved rather constructively by using a staggered two-step time discretization scheme.

math.AP↗

arXiv2019

Rate-independent evolution of sets

The goal of this work is to analyze a model for the rate-independent evolution of sets with finite perimeter. The evolution of the admissible sets is driven by that of a given time-dependent set, which has to include the admissible sets and hence is to be understood as an external loading. The process is driven by the competition between perimeter minimization and minimization of volume changes. \par In the mathematical modeling of this process, we distinguish the adhesive case, in which the constraint that the (complement of) the `external load' contains the evolving sets is penalized by a term contributing to the driving energy functional, from the brittle case, enforcing this constraint. The existence of Energetic solutions for the adhesive system is proved by passing to the limit in the associated time-incremental minimization scheme. In the brittle case, this time-discretization procedure gives rise to evolving sets satisfying the stability condition, but it remains an open problem to additionally deduce energy-dissipation balance in the time-continuous limit. This can be obtained under some suitable quantification of data. The properties of the brittle evolution law are illustrated by numerical examples in two space dimensions.

math.AP↗

arXiv2018

A variational approach to Navier-Stokes

We present a variational resolution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes system by means of stabilized Weighted-Inertia-Dissipation-Energy (WIDE) functionals. The minimization of these parameter-dependent functionals corresponds to an elliptic-in-time regularization of the system. By passing to the limit in the regularization parameter along subsequences of WIDE minimizers one recovers a classical Leray-Hopf weak solution.

math.AP↗

arXiv2018

Characterization of optimal carbon nanotubes under stretching and validation of the Cauchy-Born rule

Carbon nanotubes are modeled as point configurations and investigated by minimizing configurational energies including two-and three-body interactions. Optimal configurations are identified with local minima and their fine geometry is fully characterized in terms of lower-dimensional problems. Under moderate tension, we prove the existence of periodic local minimizers, which indeed validates the so-called Cauchy-Born rule in this setting.

math.AP↗

arXiv2018

Thermodynamics of elastoplastic porous rocks at large strains towards earthquake modeling

A mathematical model for an elastoplastic porous continuum subject to large strains in combination with reversible damage (aging), evolving porosity, water and heat transfer is advanced. The inelastic response is modeled within the frame of plasticity for nonsimple materials. Water and heat diffuse through the continuum by a generalized Fick-Darcy law in the context of viscous Cahn-Hilliard dynamics and by Fourier law, respectively. This coupling of phenomena is paramount to the description of lithospheric faults, which experience ruptures (tectonic earthquakes) originating seismic waves and flash heating. In this regard, we combine in a thermodynamic consistent way the assumptions of having a small Green-Lagrange elastic strain and nearly isochoric plastification with the very large displacements generated by fault shearing. The model is amenable to a rigorous mathematical analysis. Existence of suitably defined weak solutions and a convergence result for Galerkin approximations is proved.

math.AP↗

arXiv2018

$N^{3/4}$ law in the cubic lattice

We investigate the Edge-Isoperimetric Problem (EIP) for sets with $n$ elements of the cubic lattice by emphasizing its relation with the emergence of the Wulff shape in the crystallization problem. Minimizers $M_n$ of the edge perimeter are shown to deviate from a corresponding cubic Wulff configuration with respect to their symmetric difference by at most $ {\rm O}(n^{3/4})$ elements. The exponent $3/4$ is optimal. This extends to the cubic lattice analogous results that have already been established for the triangular, the hexagonal, and the square lattice in two space dimensions.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

A phase-field approach to Eulerian interfacial energies

We analyze a phase-field approximation of a sharp-interface model for two- phase materials proposed by M. Silhavy [32, 33]. The distinguishing trait of the model resides in the fact that the interfacial term is Eulerian in nature, for it is defined on the deformed configuration. We discuss a functional frame allowing for existence of phase- field minimizers and Γ-convergence to the sharp-interface limit. As a by-product, we provide additional detail on the admissible sharp-interface configurations with respect to the analysis in [32, 33].

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Finite thermoelastoplasticity and creep under small elastic strains

A mathematical model for an elastoplastic continuum subject to large strains is presented. The inelastic response is modeled within the frame of rate-dependent gradient plasticity for nonsimple materials. Heat diffuses through the continuum by the Fourier law in the actual deformed configuration. Inertia makes the nonlinear problem hyperbolic. The modelling assumption of small elastic Green-Lagrange strains is combined in a thermodynamically consistent way with the possibly large displacements and large plastic strain. The model is amenable to a rigorous mathematical analysis. The existence of suitably defined weak solutions and a convergence result for Galerkin approximations is proved.

math.AP↗

arXiv2018

Graphene ground states

Graphene is locally two-dimensional but not flat. Nanoscale ripples appear in suspended samples and rolling-up often occurs when boundaries are not fixed. We address this variety of graphene geometries by classifying all ground-state deformations of the hexagonal lattice with respect to configurational energies including two- and three-body terms. As a consequence, we prove that all ground-state deformations are either periodic in one direction, as in the case of ripples, or rolled up, as in the case of nanotubes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Weighted Energy-Dissipation principle for gradient flows in metric spaces

This paper develops the so-called Weighted Energy-Dissipation (WED) variational approach for the analysis of gradient flows in metric spaces. This focuses on the minimization of the parameter-dependent global-in-time functional of trajectories \[ \mathcal{I}_\varepsilon[u] = \int_0^{\infty} e^{-t/\varepsilon}\left( \frac12 |u'|^2(t) + \frac1{\varepsilon}ϕ(u(t)) \right) \dd t, \] featuring the weighted sum of energetic and dissipative terms. As the parameter $\varepsilon$ is sent to~$0$, the minimizers $u_\varepsilon$ of such functionals converge, up to subsequences, to curves of maximal slope driven by the functional $ϕ$. This delivers a new and general variational approximation procedure, hence a new existence proof, for metric gradient flows. In addition, it provides a novel perspective towards relaxation.

math.AP↗

arXiv2017

Quasistatic elastoplasticity via Peridynamics: existence and localization

Peridynamics is a nonlocal continuum-mechanical theory based on minimal regularity on the deformations. Its key trait is that of replacing local constitutive relations featuring spacial differential operators with integrals over differences of displacement fields over a suitable positive interaction range. The advantage of such perspective is that of directly including nonregular situations, in which discontinuities in the displacement field may occur. In the linearized elastic setting, the mechanical foundation of the theory and its mathematical amenability have been thoroughly analyzed in the last years. We present here the extension of Peridynamics to linearized elastoplasticity. This calls for considering the time evolution of elastic and plastic variables, as the effect of a combination of elastic energy storage and plastic energy dissipation mechanisms. The quasistatic evolution problem is variationally reformulated and solved by time discretization. In addition, by a rigorous evolutive $Γ$-convergence argument we prove that the nonlocal peridynamic model converges to classic local elastoplasticity as the interaction range goes to zero.

math.AP↗