A variational formulation with rigid-body constraints for finite elasticity: theory, finite element implementation, and applications

This paper presents a new variational principle in finite elastostatics applicable to arbitrary elastic solids that may contain constitutively rigid spatial domains (e.g., rigid inclusions). The basic idea consists in describing the constitutive rigid behavior of a given spatial domain as a set of kinematic constraints over the boundary of the domain. From a computational perspective, the proposed formulation is shown to reduce to a set of algebraic constraints that can be implemented efficiently in terms of both single-field and mixed finite elements of arbitrary order. For demonstration purposes, applications of the proposed rigid-body-constraint formulation are illustrated within the context of elastomers, reinforced with periodic and random distributions of rigid filler particles, undergoing finite deformations.