On Creep and Relaxation

The creep and the relaxation function of linear systems, for which the principle of superposition is valid, are mutually connected in a simple way. This makes it possible to calculate the distribution function of relaxation times of stress and the distribution function of retardation times of strain, when the relaxation function or the creep function is given. It also allows a transformation formula to be established for the conversion of one distribution function into another. The results of the theory are applied to a detailed discussion of the relaxation process in a particular case.