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.