Ceramics-Silikáty 49, (3) 170 - 180 (2005)

Eringen's theory of micropolar continua is summarized for materials scientists and engineers and reviewed in its state-of-theart. Kinematic measures are introduced for solids and fluids (micropolar strain and strain-rate tensors). Balance equations are presented, including the non-classical balance law for the microinertia tensor. Non-linear and linear constitutive equations (material models) are given for anisotropic and isotropic solids and fluids. The physical significance of the material parameters is explained and the reduction of their number due to symmetry discussed. With examples from literature, it is shown that micropolar theory can be a useful framework for modeling solid composites, porous media, and suspensions.