A mixed variational method for linear coupled thermoelastic analysis

A variational method for linear coupled quasi-static thermoelastic analysis is presented. The variational support is a statement in terms of displacement, temperature, stress and heat flux. The statement is based on the hybrid stress formulation for the elastic part and on the mixed flux-temperature formulation for the thermal one, and includes the rate dependent terms of the energy balance equations and the initial condition. A finite element model for the semidiscrete analysis is developed within this variational framework, and a guideline for implementing a family of thermoelastic finite elements is given. Some test cases enlighten the effectiveness and reliability of the approach proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.