The method of virtual power in continuum mechanics: Application to coupled fields

Abstract

Using as main tools the principle of virtual power — in the form recently favored by French mechanicians - and continuum thermodynamics, this work of a synthetic nature develops in a “rational” manner and from a unified viewpoint the fully dynamical (albeit not relativistic) theory of electromagnetic continua. The resulting equations are those to be used by theoretical mechanicians, applied physicists and electronic engineers alike to study coupled electro-magneto-mechanical effects in electronic components. A fairly long account of the formal structure underlying the principle of virtual power is first given. Following then a simple purely mechanical application, a full illustration is given of the application of this principle to the theory of coupled fields in deformable continua, all states of magnetism and dielectricity being representable if one makes the appropriate adjustments. Other illustrations of the method concern the case of complicated schemes of elastic dielectrics, liquid crystals and ferrofluids. To end with a comparison with other energy approaches used nowadays in continuum physics is given.