Partially relaxed energy potentials for the modelling of microstructures - application to shape memory alloys

Energy relaxation is well-established by several researchers – especially in the field of the modelling of solid-solid phase transformations. Nevertheless, critics still counter this concept by considering it as a purely mathematical tool with poor physical significance. In this contribution we aim at emphasising the significance of energy relaxation methods for the modelling of dissipative solids and especially microstructure formation and its further evolution. In particular, we shall point out aspects and advantages of this concept which are not straight forward to achieve within alternative schemes