On a strain gradient theory of thermoviscoelasticity

Abstract

This paper is concerned with a strain gradient theory of thermoviscoelasticity in which the time derivatives of the strain tensors are included in the set of independent constitutive variables. The theory is motivated by the recent interest in the study of gradient theories. First, we establish the basic equations of the linear theory and present two uniqueness results. Then, we use a semigroup approach to derive an existence result. Finally, we establish the constitutive equations for an isotropic chiral material and derive a solution of the field equations.