Modeling Failure and Fracture of Soft Solids and Fluids

This book applies approaches of nonlinear continuum mechanics used to model fracture and failures in soft materials. Two physical observations underlie mathematical theories described in this book. First, the energy of molecular bonds is bounded and, consequently, the macroscopic strain energy must be bounded. Second, the broken bonds are diffused and, consequently, highly localized material sink takes place. The first observation allows describing material failure as the damage initiation. The second observation allows modeling cracks as damage localization and propagation.

This book builds on the experiences of “Soft Matter Mechanics” by Konstantin Volokh.

Konstantin Volokh is an award-winning scientist with over 25 years of experience in teaching mechanics. In 1994 he joined Technion―the Israel Institute of Technology―where he developed the unique course on Mechanics of Soft Materials. Professor Volokh works in the broad field of mechanics of soft materials including biological tissues with emphasis on modeling failure and fracture. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Springer Nature Journal "Mechanics of Soft Materials."