Generalized Finsler geometric continuum physics with applications in fracture and phase transformations (Q2358957)

The author presents a theory of deformation of continuous media with complex behavior, for examples media with microstructure, based on concepts from Finsler differential geometry. It is argued that, although not essential, such an approach is ``more general and potentially more physically descriptive'' than the usual existing continuum theories which accomodate the complex material behavior via ad hoc additional postulates and constitutive assumptions, enriching the set of fundamental thermodynamical parameters, or incorporating additional constitutive and evolution equations. The author proposes two types of decomposition of the Finslerian deformation gradient: multiplicative and additive. The first one is applied to phase transformations and twinning problems, while the second is applied to inelastic deformation mechanisms. Appropriate free energy functions are proposed for each case, and Euler-Lagrange equations of equilibrium are derived. Solutions are obtained for specific problems of tensile fracture of an elastic cylinder and for amorphization of a crystal under spherical and uniaxial compression. The obtained solutions are extensively discussed and shown to reflect existing experimental results.