TY - EJOU AU - Chen, Youping AU - Lee, James D AU - Esk,arian, Azim TI - Micropolar Theory and Its Applications to Mesoscopic and Microscopic Problems T2 - Computer Modeling in Engineering \& Sciences PY - 2004 VL - 5 IS - 1 SN - 1526-1506 AB - This paper addresses the need of theories and simulations for material body of mesoscopic and microscopic sizes. An overview of polar theories is presented. The micropolar theory proposed by Eringen is introduced and compared with other polar theories. Constitutive equations of micropolar thermo-visco-elastic solid are derived. Finite element analyses have been performed for a few sample problems with wide range of length scales. Based on the discussion, comparison and computer simulations, the unique feature and applicability of micropolar theory are demonstrated. KW - continuum KW - micropolar KW - finite element KW - length scale DO - 10.3970/cmes.2004.005.035