Intermediate Configuration

In this paper we revisit the mathematical foundations of nonlinear viscoelasticity. We study the underlying geometry of viscoelastic deformations, and in particular, the intermediate configuration. Starting from the multiplicative decomposition of deformation gradient into elastic and viscous parts F=FeFv, we point out that Fv can be either a material tensor (Fe is a two-point tensor) or a two-point tensor (Fe is a spatial tensor).

A central tool of nonlinear anelasticity is the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation tensor that assumes that the deformation gradient can be decomposed as a product of an elastic and an anelastic tensor. It is usually justified by the existence of an intermediate configuration. Yet, this configuration cannot exist in Euclidean space, in general, and the mathematical basis for this assumption is on unsatisfactory ground.