Configurational entropy, non-associativity and uniqueness in granular media (Q684883)

The paper deals with the inelastic response of granular media. Similar to the entropy concept in statistical physics, a configurational entropy measuring the probability of occurence of a particular configuration of grains is defined. This entropy gives rise to a configurational temperature which induces, in turn, configurational strains. Therefore inelastic strains consist of two parts: plastic strains and configurational strains. It is shown that the plastic strain is derivable from a plastic potential defined on the stress-space, hence it is normal to the constant potential (yield) surface whereas the inelastic strain violates this property. For a thermomechanically positive model which put a weak restriction on the increments of stress, strain, configurational entropy and temperature rates, an incremental uniqueness theorem is proved for a mixed boundary-initial value problem.