Complex bodies with memory: Linearized setting

The mechanics of complex bodies with memory effects is discussed in linearized setting. The attention is focused on the characterization of free energies in terms of minimum work and maximum recoverable work in the bulk and along a discontinuity surface endowed with its own surface energy, a surface within the body. To this aim, use is made of techniques proposed by Del Piero. Consequences of the Clausius–Duhem inequality are investigated for complex bodies with instantaneous linear elastic response. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.