The dynamics of configurational forces at phase-transition fronts (Q1905581)

Starting out with the jump conditions at a travelling discontinuity surface and with the balance equations on the material manifold (that are the pull backs of the usual [physical] balance equations by the inverse motion to the reference configuration [placement]), the authors compute the power developed by the accompanying surface source of quasi-inhomogeneities at the phase transition front. This power relates directly to the normal jump of the Eshelby stress, this is the analogue of the Cauchy stress tensor in the (un-)balance of the pseudo-momentum on the material manifold. The power is dissipated at the front. By use of the second law and in case of a homothermal front, this dissipation is related to a non-negative heat source localized in the transition front. The approach does not make use of special constitutive equations, except of the existence of a joint potential for the Cauchy and the Eshelby stress tensors.