ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF RELATIVISTIC CONTINUUM MECHANICS
Abstract
The Einstein theory of general relativity is shown to yield a general mechanics of continuous media under appropriate restrictions of the momentum-energy tensor. Physical interpretations of the governing equations are derived, and constitutive relations are developed for general and isotropic materials. It turns out that under rather general circumstances, the relativistic continuum may be interpreted as a space filled by a flow of rest energy. Invariant requirements for the existence of a stress potential are obtained, the satisfaction of which leads to a decomposition and partial evaluation of the rest energy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0293435
Entities
People
- Dominic G.b. Edelen
Organizations
- RAND Corporation