Configurational Forces as Basic Concepts of Continuum Physics

From the reviews: SIAM REVIEW "This important book presents the development, within the framework of continuum mechanics, of the mathematical theory of such accretive forces...The monograph is a clearly and concisely written collection of short chapters...The framework provided by the use of configurational as well as standard forces is convincingly set out in an elegant and unifying manner and is applicable to a variety of significant issues in continuum mechanics. The author has produced a book that is certain to be of great importance to many workers in the mechanics and physics of continua." MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS "...the more original contributions in the book devoted to interfaces and solidifications are extremely interesting. They obviously correspond to the specific domain to which the author has powerfully contributed with great ingenuity and talent."

• Configurational Forces within a Classical Context.- Kinematics.- Standard Forces. Working.- Migrating Control Volumes. Stationary and Time-Dependent Changes in Reference Configuration.- Configurational Forces.- Thermodynamics. Relation Between Bulk Tension and Energy. Eshelby Identity.- Inertia and Kinetic Energy. Alternative Versions of the Second Law.- Change in Reference Configuration.- Elastic and Thermoelastic Materials.- The Use of Configurational Forces to Characterize Coherent Phase Interfaces.- Interface Kinematics.- Interface Forces. Second Law.- Inertia. Basic Equations for the Interface.- An Equivalent Formulation of the Theory. Infinitesimal Deformations.- Formulation within a Classical Context.- Coherent Phase Interfaces.- Evolving Interfaces Neglecting Bulk Behavior.- Evolving Surfaces.- Configurational Force System. Working.- Second Law.- Constitutive Equations. Evolution Equation for the Interface.- Two-Dimensional Theory.- Coherent Phase Interfaces wtih Interfacial Energy and Deformation.- Theory Neglecting Standard Interfacial Stress.- General Theory with Standard and Configurational Stress within the Interface.- Two-Dimensional Theory with Standard and Configurational Stress within the Interface.- Solidification.- Solidification. The Stefan Condition as a Consequence of the Configurational Force Balance.- Solidification with Interfacial Energy and Entropy.- Fracture.- Cracked Bodies.- Motions.- Forces. Working.- The Second Law.- Basic Results for the Crack Tip.- Constitutive Theory for Growing Cracks.- Kinking and Curving of Cracks. Maximum Dissipation Criterion.- Fracture in Three Space Dimensions (Results).- Two-Dimensional Theory of Corners and Junctions Neglecting Inertia.- Preliminaries. Transport Theorems.- Thermomechanical Theory of Junctionsand Corners.