This text is intended to provide a modern and integrated treatment of the foundations and applications of continuum mechanics. There is a significant increase in interest in continuum mechanics because of its relevance to microscale phenomena. In addition to being tailored for advanced undergraduate students and including numerous examples and exercises, this text also features a chapter on continuum thermodynamics, including entropy production in Newtonian viscous fluid flow and thermoelasticity. Computer solutions and examples are emphasized through the use of the symbolic mathematical computing program Mathematica®.

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

Elements of Continuum Mechanics and Conservation Laws presents a systematization of different models in mathematical physics, a study of the structure of conservation laws, thermodynamical identities, and connection with criteria for well-posedness of the corresponding mathematical problems. The theory presented in this book stems from research carried out by the authors concerning the formulations of differential equations describing explosive deformations of metals. In such processes, elasticity equations are used in some zones, whereas hydrodynamics equations are stated in other zones. Plastic deformations appear in transition zones, which leads to residual stresses. The suggested model contains some relaxation terms which simulate these plastic deformations. Certain laws of thermodynamics are used in order to describe and study differential equations simulating the physical processes. This leads to the special formulation of differential equations using generalized thermodynamical potentials.

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.

Provides a complete course in continuum mechanics with examples and exercises and a chapter on continuum thermodynamics.

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

The Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Continua presents a unified treatment of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics that emphasises the universal status of the basic balances and the entropy imbalance. These laws are viewed as fundamental building blocks on which to frame theories of material behaviour. As a valuable reference source, this book presents a detailed and complete treatment of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics for graduates and advanced undergraduates in engineering, physics and mathematics. The chapters on plasticity discuss the standard isotropic theories and, in addition, crystal plasticity and gradient plasticity.