Continua with affine microstructure: Theoretical aspects and applications

In the present contribution we discuss an axiomatic stucture of extended continua with affine microstructure in the sense of Eringen [2]. Postulating and evaluating the observer-invariance of the balance of energy we obtain the governing balance equations of generalized continua which are closed by a specific set of kinematical assumptions and constitutive equations. Furthermore, we discuss two specific models characterized by an additional scalar (volumetrical) order parameter. Interestingly, the resulting effects lead to completely different interpretations of the results with respect to the coupling effects. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)