This book presents different thermodynamic approaches in the area of constitutive theory: thermodynamics of irreversible processes, rational thermodynamics, and extended thermodynamics. These different approaches are analyzed with respect to their presuppositions, as well as to their results, and each method is applied to several important examples. In many cases these examples are archetypes for numerous technologically important materials; i.e. complex materials having an internal structure. Some of the examples dealt with in this book are liquid crystals, colloid suspensions, ans fiber suspensions. The book well serves students and researchers who have basic knowledge in continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. It provides a systematic overview of the vast field of thermodynamic constitutive theory, beginning from a historical perspective and concluding with outstanding questions in recent research.

Treats subjects directly related to nonlinear materials modeling for graduate students and researchers in physics, materials science, chemistry and engineering.

The new edition includes additional analytical methods in the classical theory of viscoelasticity. This leads to a new theory of finite linear viscoelasticity of incompressible isotropic materials. Anisotropic viscoplasticity is completely reformulated and extended to a general constitutive theory that covers crystal plasticity as a special case.

This book focuses on the need for an Eulerian formulation of constitutive equations. After introducing tensor analysis using both index and direct notation, nonlinear kinematics of continua is presented. The balance laws of the purely mechanical theory are discussed along with restrictions on constitutive equations due to superposed rigid body motion. The balance laws of the thermomechanical theory are discussed and specific constitutive equations are presented for: hyperelastic materials; elastic–inelastic materials; thermoelastic–inelastic materials with application to shock waves; thermoelastic–inelastic porous materials; and thermoelastic–inelastic growing biological tissues.

Recent developments in engineering and technology have brought about serious and enlarged demands for reliability, safety and economy in wide range of fields such as aeronautics, nuclear engineering, civil and structural engineering, automotive and production industry. This, in turn, has caused more interest in continuum damage mechanics and its engineering applications. This book aims to give a concise overview of the current state of damage mechanics, and then to show the fascinating possibility of this promising branch of mechanics, and to provide researchers, engineers and graduate students with an intelligible and self-contained textbook. The book consists of two parts and an appendix. Part I is concerned with the foundation of continuum damage mechanics. Basic concepts of material damage and the mechanical representation of damage state of various kinds are described in Chapters 1 and 2. In Chapters 3-5, irreversible thermodynamics, thermodynamic constitutive theory and its application to the modeling of the constitutive and the evolution equations of damaged materials are descried as a systematic basis for the subsequent development throughout the book. Part II describes the application of the fundamental theories developed in Part I to typical damage and fracture problems encountered in various fields of the current engineering. Important engineering aspects of elastic-plastic or ductile damage, their damage mechanics modeling and their further refinement are first discussed in Chapter 6. Chapters 7 and 8 are concerned with the modeling of fatigue, creep, creep-fatigue and their engineering application. Damage mechanics modeling of complicated crack closure behavior in elastic-brittle and composite materials are discussed in Chapters 9 and 10. In Chapter 11, applicability of the local approach to fracture by means of damage mechanics and finite element method, and the ensuing mathematical and numerical problems are briefly discussed. A proper understanding of the subject matter requires knowledge of tensor algebra and tensor calculus. At the end of this book, therefore, the foundations of tensor analysis are presented in the Appendix, especially for readers with insufficient mathematical background, but with keen interest in this exciting field of mechanics.

Aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students, this book provides a clear unified view of continuum mechanics that will be a welcome addition to the literature. Samuel Paolucci provides a well-grounded mathematical structure and also gives the reader a glimpse of how this material can be extended in a variety of directions, furnishing young researchers with the necessary tools to venture into brand new territory. Particular emphasis is given to the roles that thermodynamics and symmetries play in the development of constitutive equations for different materials. Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Matter is ideal for a one-semester course in continuum mechanics, with 250 end-of-chapter exercises designed to test and develop the reader's understanding of the concepts covered. Six appendices enhance the material further, including a comprehensive discussion of the kinematics, dynamics and balance laws applicable in Riemann spaces.

This concise textbook develops step by step the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics. Emphasis is on mathematical clarity, and an extended appendix provides the required background knowledge in linear algebra and tensor calculus. After introducing the basic notions about general kinematics, balance equations, material objectivity and constitutive functions, the book turns to the presentation of rational thermodynamics by stressing the role of Lagrange multipliers in deriving constitutive funcitions from the underlying entropy principle. A brief lecture on extended thermodynamics closes the book. Many examples and exercises round off the material presendted in the chapters. The book addresses primarily advanced undergraduate students in theoretical physics, applied mathematics and materials sciences.

Constitutive modelling is the mathematical description of how materials respond to various loadings. This is the most intensely researched field within solid mechanics because of its complexity and the importance of accurate constitutive models for practical engineering problems. Topics covered include: Elasticity - Plasticity theory - Creep theory - The nonlinear finite element method - Solution of nonlinear equilibrium equations - Integration of elastoplastic constitutive equations - The thermodynamic framework for constitutive modelling – Thermoplasticity - Uniqueness and discontinuous bifurcations • More comprehensive in scope than competitive titles, with detailed discussion of thermodynamics and numerical methods. • Offers appropriate strategies for numerical solution, illustrated by discussion of specific models. • Demonstrates each topic in a complete and self-contained framework, with extensive referencing.

From the reviews: "The book is excellent, and covers a very broad area (usually treated as separate topics) from a unified perspective. [...] It will be very useful for both mathematicians and physicists." EMS Newsletter

This Encyclopedia covers the entire science of continuum mechanics including the mechanics of materials and fluids. The encyclopedia comprises mathematical definitions for continuum mechanical modeling, fundamental physical concepts, mechanical modeling methodology, numerical approaches and many fundamental applications. The modelling and analytical techniques are powerful tools in mechanical civil and areospsace engineering, plus in related fields of plasticity, viscoelasticity and rheology. Tensor-based and reference-frame-independent, continuum mechanics has recently found applications in geophysics and materials.