Maxwell viscoelastic constitutive response
Research context
postgraduate concept · conditional · As of 2026-10-10
A Maxwell spring and dashpot in series predicts exponential stress relaxation with a characteristic time.
Key knowledge
A Maxwell spring and dashpot in series predicts exponential stress relaxation with a characteristic time. It is a linear constitutive approximation; a single relaxation mode cannot represent every polymer network or a finite long-time solid modulus.
Values and equations
d(sigma)/dt + sigma/tau = E*d(epsilon)/dt; tau = eta/E
- sigma
- stress Pa
- t
- time s
- tau
- relaxation time s
- E
- spring modulus Pa
- epsilon
- small strain 1
- eta
- dashpot viscosity Pa s
Conditions and scope
- Small-strain, isothermal material parameters are assumed; morphology, crosslinks and broad relaxation spectra require richer models.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Mechanics of Materials: Linear Viscoelasticity: Maxwell, standard-linear-solid, relaxation and harmonic response (relevant textbook sections)
2026-10-10 · Bounded author source inspection of maxwell viscoelastic constitutive response, including the stated conditions; independent branch review is recorded separately.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- res-chem-maxwell-relaxation
- Revision
- research.1
- Structured reference record
- Postgraduate & research reference