Defects, dislocations and the general theory.- Approaches to generalized continua.- Generalized continuum modelling of crystal plasticity.- Introduction to discrete dislocation dynamics. The book contains four lectures on generalized continua and dislocation theory, reflecting the treatment of the subject at different scales. G. Maugin provides a continuum formulation of defects at the heart of which lies the notion of the material configuration and the material driving forces of in-homogeneities such as dislocations, disclinations, point defects, cracks, phase-transition fronts and shock waves. C. Sansour and S. Skatulla start with a compact treatment of linear transformation groups with subsequent excursion into the continuum theory of generalized continua. After a critical assessment a unified framework of the same is presented. The next contribution by S. Forest gives an account on generalized crystal plasticity. Finally, H. Zbib provides an account of dislocation dynamics and illustrates its fundamental importance at the smallest scale. In three contributions extensive computational results of many examples are presented.

5 The symposium was held in Freudenstadt from 28\h to 31 \ ofAugust st nd 1967 and in Stuttgart from 1 to 2 of September 1967. The proposal to hold this symposium originated with the German Society of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics (GAMM) late in 1964 and was examined by a committee of IUTAM especially appointed for this purpose. The basis of this examination was a report in which the present situation in the field and the possible aims of the symposium were surveyed. Briefly, the aims of the symposium were stated to be 1. the unification of the various approaches developed in recent years with the aim of penetrating into the microscopic world of matter by means of continuum theories; 2. the bridging of the gap between microscopic (or atomic) research on mechanics on one hand, and the phenomenological (or continuum mechanical) approach on the other hand; 3. the physical interpretation and the relation to actual material behaviour of the quantities and laws introduced into the new theories, together with applications; 4. the further development of the theories, where necessary, and the clarification of open questions; 5. a stocktaking of present achievements and the prognosis for future developments. The committee agreed unanimously that the topic of the symposium represented an important phase of current developments in continuum mechanics, from the purely theoretical point of view as well as in connection with possible applications to actual materials.

In their 1909 publication Théorie des corps déformables, Eugène and François Cosserat made a historic contribution to materials science by establishing the fundamental principles of the mechanics of generalized continua. The chapters collected in this volume showcase the many areas of continuum mechanics that grew out of the foundational work of the Cosserat brothers. The included contributions provide a detailed survey of the most recent theoretical developments in the field of generalized continuum mechanics and can serve as a useful reference for graduate students and researchers in mechanical engineering, materials science, applied physics and applied mathematics.

This volume presents contributions describing the micro- and macro-behaviours, new existence and uniqueness theorems, the formulation of multi-scale problems, etc. and now it is time to ponder again the state of matter and to discuss new trends and applications. The main focus is directed on the following items - Modelling and simulation of materials with significant microstructure, - Generalized continua as a result of multi-scale models, - Multi-field actions on materials resulting in generalized material models, and - Comparison with discrete modelling approaches

The book helps to answer the following questions: How far have the understanding and mesoscale modeling advanced in recent decades, what are the key open questions that require further research and what are the mathematical and physical requirements for a mesoscale model intended to provide either insight or a predictive engineering tool? It is addressed to young researchers including doctoral students, postdocs and early career faculty,

Deformable solids have a particularly complex character; mathematical modeling is not always simple and often leads to inextricable difficulties of computation. One of the simplest mathematical models and, at the same time, the most used model, is that of the elastic body – especially the linear one. But, notwithstanding its simplicity, even this model of a real body may lead to great difficulties of computation. The practical importance of a work about the theory of elasticity, which is also an introduction to the mechanics of deformable solids, consists of the use of scientific methods of computation in a domain in which simplified methods are still used. This treatise takes into account the consideration made above, with special attention to the theoretical study of the state of strain and stress of a deformable solid. The book draws on the known specialized literature, as well as the original results of the author and his 50+ years experience as Professor of Mechanics and Elasticity at the University of Bucharest. The construction of mathematical models is made by treating geometry and kinematics of deformation, mechanics of stresses and constitutive laws. Elastic, plastic and viscous properties are thus put in evidence and the corresponding theories are developed. Space problems are treated and various particular cases are taken into consideration. New solutions for boundary value problems of finite and infinite domains are given and a general theory of concentrated loads is built. Anisotropic and non-homogeneous bodies are studied as well. Cosserat type bodies are also modeled. The connection with thermal and viscous phenomena will be considered too. Audience: researchers in applied mathematics, mechanical and civil engineering.