Microstructure in Solids as a Curve of Maximal Slope
Yasemin Sengul
University of Coimbra
Center for Mathematics
sengulyas@gmail.com
University of Coimbra
Center for Mathematics
sengulyas@gmail.com
Abstract: We consider the problem of quasistatic nonlinear
viscoelasticity of strain-rate type as a model for the dynamics of
microstructure in solids. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive theory in
three-dimensions while ensuring the requirement of frame-indifference for the
stress. We follow a time-discretization method in the context of gradient
flows based on the idea of composition of functions. We get an existence
theory under the assumption of the convexity of the stored-energy function.