Topological Control on Atomic Networks' Relaxation Under Stress
Abstract
Upon loading, atomic networks can feature delayed viscoplastic relaxation. However, the effect of composition and structure on such a relaxation remains poorly understood. Herein, relying on accelerated molecular dynamics simulations and topological constraint theory, we investigate the relationship between atomic topology and stress-induced relaxation, by taking the example of creep deformations in calcium--silicate--hydrates, the binding phase of concrete. Under constant shear stress, C--S--H is found to feature delayed logarithmic shear deformations. We demonstrate that the propensity for relaxation is minimum for isostatic atomic networks, which are characterized by the simultaneous absence of floppy internal modes of relaxation and eigen stress. This suggests that topological nano-engineering could lead to the discovery of non-aging materials.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1605.05043,
title = {Topological Control on Atomic Networks' Relaxation Under Stress},
author = {Mathieu Bauchy and Mengyi Wang and Yingtian Yu and Bu Wang and N M Anoop Krishnan and Franz-Joseph Ulm and Roland Pellenq},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1605.05043},
year = {2017}
}