Deformabel

Deformabel is a term used to describe objects that are able to undergo shape changes when subjected to external forces. In physics and engineering, deformable bodies are contrasted with rigid bodies, which experience no permanent shape change under ordinary loads. The study of deformable bodies falls under the broader field of continuum mechanics and deformation theory.

Deformation is analyzed using a deformation field that maps material points from a reference configuration to the current configuration. Strain measures quantify local changes in length and angle, while stress measures quantify internal forces resisting deformation. Material behavior is described by constitutive models, including linear elastic (Hookean) models, plasticity for permanent changes, and viscoelasticity for time-dependent response. For large or complex deformations, nonlinear and computational approaches are employed.

Classification of deformable materials often distinguishes elastic versus plastic behavior, and within these, whether the response is time-independent or time-dependent (viscoelastic). Materials can be isotropic or anisotropic, ductile or brittle, homogeneous or composite. The choice of model depends on the material properties and the geometric and loading conditions.

Applications span many fields. In engineering, deformable models are essential for structural analysis, vehicle design, and safety assessments. In biomechanics, soft tissues are treated as deformable materials. In textiles, fabrics deform under tension and bending. In computer graphics and robotics, deformable models simulate cloth, skin, and other soft objects, frequently using finite element analysis or other numerical methods.

Key properties used to characterize deformable materials include Young's modulus, yield strength, Poisson's ratio, and hardness, obtained through experimental testing and used to predict real-world responses through simulation.