Obtaining symmetry class of elasticity tensor in arbitrary orientation

Abstract

We identify the symmetry of a Hookean continuum and obtain its elastic properties without prior information about the orientations of its symmetry planes or symmetry axes. To do so, we use invariant properties of eigenspaces. Also, we use the strain energy as a measure of difference between a given contiuum and any symmetry class to classify any Hookean solid by its symmetry class taking into account measurements errors.