On the Kinematics of Deformations with Small Strain and Moderate Rotation

In this paper we discuss kinematical issues of the theory of deformations resulting in a small strain accompanied by a moderate rotation. Here, by assuming appropriate measures of rotation and strain which are motivated by a scheme of approximation, we attempt to formulate a theory of small strains and moderate rotations which is consistent and independent of approximation procedures. Within this theory, we establish the characterizations of rigid and homogeneous deformations with reference to a three-dimensional continuous body.