Geometric Analysis of Hyper-Stresses

A geometric analysis of high order stresses in continuum mechanics is presented. Virtual velocity fields take their values in a vector bundle \vbts over the n-dimensional space manifold. A stress field of order k is represented mathematically by an n-form valued in the dual of the vector bundle of k-jets of \vbts. While only limited analysis can be performed on high order stresses as such, they may be represented by non-holonomic hyper-stresses, n-forms valued in the duals of iterated jet bundles. For non-holonomic hyper-stresses, the analysis that applies to first order stresses may be iterated. In order to determine a unique value for the tangent surface stress field on the boundary of a body and the corresponding edge interactions, additional geometric structure should be specified, that of a vector field transversal to the boundary.