For infinitesimal deformations of a continuum body, in which the displacement gradient tensor (2nd order tensor) is small compared to unity, i.e. ‖ ‖ ∇ ∇ u ‖ ‖ ≪ ≪ 1 , it is possible to perform a geometric linearization of any one of the finite strain tensors used in finite strain theory, e.g. the Lagrangian finite strain tensor E , and the Eulerian finite strain tensor e . In such a linearization, the non-linear or second-order terms of the finite strain tensor are neglected. Thus we have