Invariant manifolds in mechanics. I. The general construction of coarse theories from fine theories (Q793526)

The author describes and illustrates a general procedure for deriving coarse theories from fine theories. For instance, a continuum theory of gas dynamics is a coarse theory derived from the kinetic theory of gases, theories of rods and shells are those given from the three-dimensional elasticity theory, and so on. The general scheme of derivation, called the method of invariant manifolds, is presented in detail. The author discusses (1) abstract derivation of the coarse theory and the equations for the invariant manifold, (2) approximation of the manifold, (3) proof of the existence of the manifold, and (4) asymptotic status of general solutions.