Evolution of fabric tensors in damage mechanics of solids with micro-cracks: Part I – Theory and fundamental concepts

The evolution of fabric tensors based on micro-crack distributions is formulated based on sound thermodynamic principles. In Part I of this work, the exact definition of fabric tensors based on micro-crack distributions is presented. This definition is seen to incorporate both the orientation and length of a micro-crack. In this regard, the micro-crack distribution is assumed to be radially symmetric, i.e. symmetric about a line through the origin.The equations of thermodynamics are employed in order to derive the exact evolution equations of the fabric tensors defined in the first part. In this regard, a thermodynamic force that is associated with the fabric tensor is defined and utilized in the derivation of the evolution equations. The application of the theory to the case of uniaxial tension is derived in Part II (companion paper) of this work.