Multiscale mechanical problems: the Arlequin method

A method is introduced which allows the intermixing of various mechanical m odels for structural analysis and computation. This method is named Arlequi n. It opens an alternative framework for the modelling of multiscale mechan ical problems. The key steps of the Arlequin method are detailed for the ve ry relevant multiscale problem of the cantilever beam. A numerical test sho ws the effectiveness of this new approach. (C) Academie des Sciences/Elsevi er, Paris.