Spectral decomposition of the linear elastic tensor for monoclinic symmetry

The compliance fourth-rank tensor related to crystalline or other anisotropic media belonging to the monoclinic crystal system is spectrally decomposed for the first time, and its characteristic values and idempotent fourth-rank tensors are established. Further, it is proven that the idempotent tensors resolve the stress and strain second-rank tensors into eigentensors, thus giving rise to a decomposition of the total elastic strain-energy density into non-interacting strain-energy parts. Several examples of representative inorganic crystals of the monoclinic system illustrate the results of the theoretical analysis. It is also proven that the essential parameters required for a coordinate-invariant characterization of the elastic properties of a crystal exhibiting monoclinic symmetry are both the six characteristic values of the compliance tensor and seven dimensionless parameters. These material constants, referred to as the eigenangles, are shown to be accountable for the orientation of the stress and strain eigentensors, when represented in a stress coordinate system. Finally, the restrictions dictated by the classical thermodynamical argument on the elements of the compliance tensor, which are necessary and sufficient for the elastic strain-energy density to be positive definite, are investigated for the monoclinic symmetry.