A frame-indifferent model for a thermo-elastic material beyond the three-dimensional Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions
Résumé
The covariance principle of differential geometry within a four-dimensional (4D) space-time ensures the validity of any equations and physical relations through any changes of frame of reference, due to the definition of the 4D space-time and the use of 4D tensors, operations and operators. This enables to separate covariance (i.e. frame-indifference) and material objectivity (i.e. material-indifference). We propose here a method to build a constitutive relation for thermo-elastic materials using such a 4D formalism. A 4D generalization of the classical variational approach is assumed leading to a model for a general thermo-elastic material. The isotropy of the relation can be ensured by the use of the invariants of variables, which offers new possibilities for the construction of constitutive relations. It is then possible to build a general frame-indifferent but not necessarily material-indifferent constitutive relation. It encompasses both the 3D Eulerian and Lagrangian thermo-elastic isotropic relations for finite transformations.