Thermodynamics based on a work inequality (Q1824441)

This is the author's Ph.D. thesis of 1980, finally published. The delay notwithstanding (a delay spanning a period which has seen outstanding contributions to the study of foundations of thermodynamics), the paper remains an eccellent addition to the field. As is characteristic of the author, the presentation is precise and concise, still without sacrifice of essential detail. The concern is with the consequences of a work inequality (called here (W)), assumed as an alternative to a global Clausius-Duhem inequality. The inequality (proposed meanwhile also by Serrin and Šilhavý [e.g.: \textit{J. Serrin}, New perspectives in thermodynamics (1986; Zbl 0591.00028); \textit{M. Šilhavý}, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 81, 221-243 (1983; Zbl 0517.73002)]) is formally identical to (but weaker than) the first work estimate obtained by \textit{C. Truesdell} in his papers on the efficiency of stream engines [e.g.: Ann. Mat. Pura Appl., IV. Ser. 108, 305-323 (1976)]; it involves appropriately defined `cumulative heat received' (in place of the `heat absorbed') and temperatures \(\theta_ i\), \(\theta_ s\) (to replace \(\theta_{\min}\), \(\theta_{\max})\). The changes are suggested by an old remark on the essential physical differences in the effects of exchanges of heat occurring at different temperatures. The inequality is taken to be valid for any body (and its subbodies) also in inhomogeneous processes. The main results of the paper are: (i) the Truesdell and Toupin form of the Clausius-Duhem inequality [see: \textit{C. Truesdell} and \textit{R. Toupin}, The classical field theories. Encyclopedia of Physics (1960)] implies (W), but the converse is true (for smooth processes) only if, independently, the Fourier inequality is accepted; (ii) with minor qualifications, (W) delivers the same constitutive restrictions for linearly viscous fluids, thermoelastic materials, simple materials with fading memory; (iii) certain theorems on stability of \textit{B. D. Coleman} and \textit{J. M. Greenberg} [Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 25, 321-347 (1967; Zbl 0156.239)] remain also valid.