Applied Mathematics Colloquium

Abstract: The bending of bilayer plates is a mechanism which allows for large deformations via small externally induced lattice mismatches of the underlying materials. Its mathematical modeling, discussed in this talk, consists of a nonlinear fourth order problem with a pointwise isometry constraint. A discretization based on Kirchhoff quadrilaterals is devised and its Gamma-convergence is proved. An iterative method that decreases the energy is proposed and its convergence to stationary configurations is investigated. Its performance, as well as reduced model capabilities, are explored via several insightful numerical experiments involving large (geometrically nonlinear) deformations.