The nature of configurational forces (Q1898382)

The author presents a variational definition of so-called ``configurational forces''. Then the basic idea of configurational forces is introduced in a single-phase material. The next step is the introduction of configurational forces for an evolving surface, neglecting bulk behavior. Finally, the case of the two-phase theory of deformation is considered, and the process of solidification with the Stefan and Gibbs-Thompson conditions obtained as consequences of a configurational-force balance is given as an application. This is complemented by an appendix on evolving surface. This very well written paper highlights the role of the ``Eshelby'' stress tensor. Parallel developments concerning configurational forces (but referred to as ``material forces'' because of their obvious role in the completely material formulation of continuum mechanics) are given in a long paper by the reviewer [Appl. Mech. Rev. 48, 213-245 (1995)], where, in addition the topic is treated in dynamics using the notion of pseudomomentum.