Continua with latent microstructure (Q1060881)

This paper presents a somewhat abstract formulation of the theory of continua with a so-called latent microstructure. By the latter must be understood that although the effects of the microstructure can be felt in the balance equations, all relevant quantities can nonetheless be expressed in terms of geometric and kinematic quantities pertaining to apparent displacements. As a sub-class Korteweg fluids involving a dependence of the free energy density on the density gradient are considered and allow one to grasp this definition. It is a pity that previous works devoted to formal questions on this type of non-simple materials are not recognized, for they answer several of the questions raised by the paper [cf. \textit{P. Germain}, J. Mécanique 12, 235-274 (1973; Zbl 0261.73003); \textit{O. Brulin} and \textit{S. Hjalmars}, Ist. Lombardo Accad. Sci. Lett., Rend., Sez. A 105, 917-931 (1971; Zbl 0257.73003) and others]. Also, nothing is said concerning the boundary conditions, especially when the boundary presents discontinuities in its tangent plane.