Continuum mechanics – MAE 640

Summer II – 2009

Dr. Konstantinos Sierros

263 ESB new add
kostas.sierros@mail.wvu.edu
 Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of tensors
• It is useful to regard a tensor as an operator that changes a vector into another vector
(by means of the dot product).
• In this regard, it is interesting to find out whether certain vectors have only their lengths,
and not their orientation, changed when operated upon by a given tensor (i.e., seek
vectors that are transformed into multiples of themselves).
• If such vectors exist, they must satisfy the following equation;

The parameter λ is called an characteristic

x is called characteristic vector, value, principal value, or eigenvalue, and it
principal planes, or eigenvector characterizes the change in length of the
associated with A eigenvector x after it has been operated
upon by A.
 Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of tensors

Since x can be expressed as x = I · x

Because this is a homogeneous set of equations for x, a nontrivial solution (i.e., vector
with at least one component of x is nonzero) will not exist unless the determinant
of the matrix [A − λI] is zero

The vanishing of this determinant yields an algebraic equation of degree n, called the
characteristic equation, for λ when A is a n × n matrix.
 Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of tensors

• For a second-order tensor Φ the characteristic equation yields three eigenvalues λ1, λ2,
and λ3
• At least one of the eigenvalues must be real. The other two may be real and distinct,
real and repeated, or complex conjugates.
• In a Cartesian system, the characteristic equation associated with a second order
tensor can be expressed in the following form;

• I1, I2, and I3 are the invariants Φ as defined in the previous class
• The invariants can also be expressed in terms of the eigenvalues as following;
 Example 1

Determine the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the following matrix;

 Problem 2.1

Find the equation of a line (or a set of lines) passing through the terminal point of a
vector A and in the direction of vector B.
 Problem 2.3
Prove the following vector identity without the use of a coordinate system
 Problem 2.6
Given the following components;

Determine the following;