Elasticity theory in general relativity

Abstract

The general relativistic theory of elasticity is reviewed from a Lagrangian, as opposed to Eulerian, perspective. The equations of motion and stress–energy–momentum tensor for a hyperelastic body are derived from the gauge–invariant action principle first considered by DeWitt. This action is a natural extension of the action for a single relativistic particle. The central object in the Lagrangian treatment is the Landau–Lifshitz radar metric, which is the relativistic version of the right Cauchy–Green deformation tensor. We also introduce relativistic definitions of the deformation gradient, Green strain, and first and second Piola–Kirchhoff stress tensors. A gauge-fixed description of relativistic hyperelasticity is also presented, and the nonrelativistic theory is derived in the limit as the speed of light becomes infinite.