On some qualitative results in thermodynamics of Cosserat bodies

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with the linear theory of thermoelastic Cosserat bodies. At the beginning, we formulate the mixed initial-boundary value problem in this context and obtain new theorems of reciprocity in the thermodynamics theory of these media. Then we prove that these new reciprocity relations imply the uniqueness of solution of the mixed problem. Based on the same reciprocal relations, we establish a minimum variational principle, which generalizes those from the theory of classical thermoelasticity.