On frame-indifference and form-invariance in constitutive theory (Q1288705)

We present an alternative formulation of the principles of Euclidean frame-indifference and indifference with respect to superimposed rigid body motions, i.e., rotations and translations. This is accomplished on the basis of the action of the proper Euclidean group on constitutive relations induced by the action of this group on the Euclidean tensors appearing in these relations. The resulting formulation of these concepts can then be used to show that the usual concept of material frame-indifference actually consists of two independent concepts, i.e. Euclidean frame-indifference and form-invariance, the latter being generally overlooked as an independent concept. On this basis, one can in addition show that any two of the concepts of Euclidean frame-indifference, form-invariance, and indifference with respect to superimposed rigid body motions, automatically implies the third. As an application of this formulation, we discuss the constitutive relations for a simple (elastic) material and a kinetic gas.