Elastic machines: A non standard use of the axial shear of linear transversely isotropic elastic cylinders

In the framework of linear transversely isotropic elasticity, we study the deformation of a circular infinite hollow cylinder, whose inner face is fixed, while its outer surface is subject to a constant axial surface traction. In isotropic linear elasticity, the solution of this problem is just a state of anti-plane axial shear. In the case of a transversely isotropic material with a chosen arrangement of fibers, the corresponding deformation field becomes more complex and the coupling of axial anti-plane shear with an in-plane deformation may occur. Therefore, it is possible to use an axial tension field to generate, for example, an azimuthal shear deformation. This fact suggests to use anisotropy to design some elastic machines which can combine different deformation modes. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.