In this free online course, you are introduced to the concepts and fundamentals involved in soft matter models and special cases. You will explore the creep response and stress relaxation functions, as well as the Boltzmann superposition principle and the material response to sinusoidal oscillations. All the demonstrations, problems, examples and assessment questions in this instructor-led video-based course are designed to provide you with a comprehensive foundation in the fundamentals and special cases of soft matter.

The course begins by introducing you to the retardation and relaxation time-scales. Then, the Boltzmann superposition principle will be discussed, which states that the creep in the specimen is a function of the entire loading history. You will explore the concept of ‘objectivity’, which explains that the fundamental laws of nature are independent of the frame of reference.

Next, you will learn about the N-Maxwell model and special cases. You will gain insight into the principle of material objectivity and you will discover the importance of understanding constitutive modelling. Finally, you will study sinusoidal stress and strain history, complex variable representation and sinusoidal oscillations.