This monograph provides both an introduction to and a thorough exposition of the theory of rate-independent systems, which the authors have worked on with a number of collaborators over many years. The focus is mostly on fully rate-independent systems, first on an abstract level with or without a linear structure, discussing various concepts of solutions with full mathematical rigor. The usefulness of the abstract concepts is then demonstrated on the level of various applications primarily in continuum mechanics of solids, including suitable approximation strategies with guaranteed numerical stability and convergence. Particular applications concern inelastic processes such as plasticity, damage, phase transformations, or adhesive-type contacts both at small strains and at finite strains. Other physical systems such as magnetic or ferroelectric materials, and couplings to rate-dependent thermodynamic models are also considered. Selected applications are accompanied by numerical simulations illustrating both the models and the efficiency of computational algorithms.

This book presents the mathematical framework for a rigorous mathematical treatment of rate-independent systems in a comprehensive form for the first time. Researchers and graduate students in applied mathematics, engineering, and computational physics will find this timely and well-written book useful.

Alexander Mielke is Professor at Humboldt University of Berlin as well as a head of the research group "Partial Differential Equations" at the Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics. His research interest range over applied mathematical analysis, partial differential equations, multi-scale modeling and applications in continuum physics.

Tomá Roubíek is a Professor at Charles University in Prague, as well as a researcher at Institute of Thermomechanics and also at Institute of Information Theory and Automation of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Having an engineering background, his professional activity has evolved from computer simulations of systems of nonlinear partial differential equations thru numerical mathematics and optimization theory to applied mathematical analysis focused to mathematical modeling in engineering and physics.

1. A general view on rate-independent systems.- 2. Energetic rate-independent systems.- 3. Rate-independent systems in Banach spaces.- 4. Applications in continuum mechanics and physics of solids.- 5. Beyond rate independence.- Appendices.- References.- Index.