Abstract
This introductory chapter discusses continuum damage mechanics, finite-strain plasticity, and mechanics of composite materials. First, a brief history of continuum damage mechanics is given. Continuum damage mechanics was introduced by Kaehanov in l958 and has now reached a stage that allows practical engineering applications. In contrast to fracture mechanics that considers the process of initiation and growth of microcracks as a discontinuous phenomenon, continuum damage mechanics uses a continuous variable that is related to the density of the defects to describe the deterioration of the material before the initiation of macro-cracks. The book is divided into four major parts: part 1 deals with the scalar formulation and is limited to the analysis of isotropic damage in materials, part 2 deals with the tensor formulation and is applicable to general states of deformation and damage, part 3 deals with advanced topics in damage mechanics, and part 4 presents the basics of damage mechanics with fabric tensors. This chapter ends with an outline of the scope of the book and the notation used.
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