On the mathematical modelling of material behavior in continuum mechanics (Q687319)

The classical theories of continuum mechanics --- linear elasticity, viscoelasticity, plasticity and hydrodynamics --- are defined by special constitutive equations. These can be understood to be asymptotic approximations of a quite general constitutive model, valid under restrictive assumptions for the stress functional or the input processes. The general theory of material behavior develops systematic methods to represent material properties in a context of physical evidence and mathematical consistency.