Thermodynamic equivalence of steady-state shocks and smooth waves in general media; applications to elastic-plastic shocks and dynamic fracture (Q1961405)

This fundamental paper concerns the thermodynamic equivalence between two important motions occuring in mechanics: shock waves and smooth waves. The main result states that a steady-state shock wave is thermodynamically equivalent to a steadily propagating smooth wave. The major conclusion is that the restrictions (constraints) which can be imposed on shock waves can be derived from those imposed on smooth waves. The present result generalizes some previous ones related to one-dimensional systems, and gives a solid foundation to some heuristic approaches used previously. Also, the result could be of interest for validation of some proposed models of elasto-plastic cracks.