Term 1: : Extension, displacement gradients & infinitesimal strain

Question 1

Vectors

Answer 1

• Vectors have a magnitude and orientation (first order tensors)
• Vectors can be resolved (split) into two perpendicular components
• We can also use position vectors to define the location of a point with respect to the
reference axes

Question 2

Relative displacement vectors

Answer 2

• Two types:
– Relative displacement vectors arbitrarily measured relative to a fixed regional reference, e.g. GPS velocity fields [Horizontal & vertical distortion + rotation + translation – and rates of these]
– Local displacement vectors measured relative to a single local point (or points), e.g. strain ellipsoid [3D finite distortion +/- volume change +/-rotation]