Abstract: | In this paper a finite element formulation for a linear viscoelastic ageing material is developed. It is shown that these equations can be solved in the from of an eigenvalue expansion thus reducing the problem to the solution of a set of Volterra Integral equations. An alternative method of solution based on expansion in terms of an operator related to Poisson's ratio is also developed and this solution method is found to significantly reduce the computational effort necessary in the solution of aproblem. |