Characterization of Stiffness Matrix for Surface Effects

Abstract:

The stiffness matrix of volume elements in the traditional finite element methods is symmetry and positive definite. Due to the relatively high surface-to-volume ratio, the surface effect can be significant for nanostructures. In a new numerical method which combines surface energy and three-dimensional finite element analysis, the stiffness matrix with surface effects was computed numerically. Results show the stiffness matrix of surface elements is symmetry and non-positive definite.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 684)
• Pages: 53-57
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.684.53
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Xiao Liang Chen*, Quan Hu Yang, Kai Zhi Huang
• Keywords: Finite Element Method (FEM), Non-Positive Definite, Stiffness Matrix, Surface Energy

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