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This comprehensive monograph is the first to treat the thermomechanics of viscoplasticity. It is intended for researchers and students in the fields of material science and continuum mechanics and is especially useful to the emergent field of biomechanics.

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This work examines the geometrical and thermodynamical properties of mechanical behavior of metals and many polymeric and paste-like materials which are indispensable for developing a rational theory of viscoplasticity. The book is intended for researchers as well as Ph.D. students in the fields of material science and continuum mechanics. Anyone involved in the design of large scale industrial parts will also find this book highly useful. The concepts and results illustrated in this work are readily applicable to the rapidly developing field of biomechanics.

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Preface.-
Part I. Theoretical and Experimental Aspects. Introduction. 1. Physical and Geometrical Background. 2.Crystalline Materials with Thermo. inelastic Memory. 3. Normality Rule? Plastic Work Extremals and Related Topics. 4. Thermodynamics of Inelasticity. 5. Some Multiaxial Viscoplastic Experiments. Relation to Tensor Functions.-
Part II. Some General Problems. 6. Viscoplasticity of Ferromagnetics. 7. Self. Consistent Method and Quasi. Rate Dependent Polycrystals. 8. Inelastic Micromorphic Polycrystals. Conclusions related to Parts I and II.-
Part III. Applications of the Theory. 9. Plastic Wave Propagation in Hopkinson Bar. 10. Ratchetting Phenomenon at Low Strain Rates for AISI 16H Stainless Steel. 11. Stress and Strain Measures for Othotropic Metals at Large Nonproportional Plastic Strain Histories. Remarks on the Application of the Theory.-
References. Glossary. Index.

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From the reviews: "This book exposes in a concise manner the essentials of the modern theory of viscoplasticity in relation with its basic thermomechanical foundations ... . In that sense the book represents a true ... contribution to the field. ... addresses professionals or younger readers (graduate students, PhDs, research engineers) who want to apprehend a difficult subject matter that pertains to both continuum mechanics ... and its applications in materials science. ... It is generally well and concisely written and ... generously documented." (Gérard A. Maugin, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2010 c)

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