Response of gradient-viscoelastic bar to static and dynamic axial load

Summary.

The response of a bar to static or dynamic axial load is studied analytically on the basis of a simple linear theory of gradient viscoelasticity. The governing equations of axial equilibrium and motion are first obtained by combining the basic equations. They are also obtained by a variational statement, which provides in addition all possible boundary conditions. A correspondence principle between the gradient elastic and gradient viscoelastic formulation and solution is established. Thus, the Laplace transformed with respect to time viscoelastic solution is obtained from the corresponding elastic one by simply replacing the elastic modulus by its Laplace transform times the Laplace transform parameter. The time domain response is finally obtained by a numerical inversion of the transformed solution. Two boundary value problems, one quasi-static and one dynamic, are studied and the gradient viscoelasticity effect on the solutions is assessed.