On gradient enriched elasticity theories: A reply to "Comment on 'On non-singular crack fields in Helmholtz type enriched elasticity theories' " and important theoretical aspects

The Comment by Aifantis that criticizes the article ‘On non-singular crack fields in Helmholtz type enriched elasticity theories’ [Lazar, M., Polyzos, D., 2014. Int. J. Solids Struct. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2014.01.002] is refuted by means of clear and straightforward arguments. Important theoretical aspects of gradient enriched elasticity theories which emerge in this work are also discussed.