FURTHER APPLICATIONS OF THE SYSTEMATIC THEORY OF MATERIALS WITH DISORDERED CONSTITUTION

Abstract

This paper contains a detailed introduction to the continuum theory of heterogeneous material in general (section 1) and of stochastic media in particular (section 2). The following sections represent applications that perhaps do not yet exist in the literature. Wave propagation in random elastic media is discussed in section 3. Here we take the viewpoint that the stress and strain are caused by inertial forces that are correlated to the distribution of elastic parameters. It is this correlation that makes the theory of wave propagation in random media much more complex than that of statics. In section 4 we treat the problem of heat conduction through the rough interface of two bodies in contact. This section arose in collaboration with H. Lanchon who also posed the problem. Section 5 contains very brief remarks on the plasticity of random media. Some general comments conclude the paper in section 6.