Matrix tensor notation. II: Skew and curved coordinates (Q1895526)

It is discussed how the so-called matrix-tensor notations (introduced for rectilinear orthogonal coordinates by the author in part I [Comput. Math. Appl. 26, No. 3, 55-93 (1993; Zbl 0777.15017)] is equally efficient for vectors and second order tensors in skew bases and skew curved coordinates. Without considering coordinates first, vectors and second order tensors are described in skew bases. A consistent interpretation of deformation and strain in terms of skew bases is given. It is demonstrated how different metrics can be assigned arbitrarily to define higher-dimensional vectors in abstract higher-dimensional spaces. A consistent notation is given to distinguish between subspace and subbase. A partial transpose is introduced, which is a formal stretching operation to write any higher order tensor product operation as matrix-vector product. The description of the variable bases in generally curved coordinates is given in this notation, together with the corresponding notation for partial differentiation rules. The vector operations grad, div, and curl are discussed and an almost-physical notation for the Christoffel symbols is given. A version of matrix-tensor notation that merges with the customary printed form is presented in an Appendix.