Nonlinear Solid Mechanics : A Continuum Approach for Engineering

Nonlinear Solid Mechanics a Continuum Approach for Engineering Gerhard A. Holzapfel Graz University of Technology, Austria With a modern, comprehensive approach directed towards computational mechanics, this book covers a unique combination of subjects at present unavailable in any other text. It includes vital information on 'variational principles' constituting the cornerstone of the finite element method. In fact this is the only method by which Nonlinear Solid Mechanics is utilized in engineering practice. The book opens with a fundamental chapter on vectors and tensors. The following chapters are based on nonlinear continuum mechanics - an inevitable prerequisite for computational mechanicians. In addition, continuum field theory (applied to a representative sample of hyperelastic materials currently used in nonlinear computations such as incompressible and compressible materials) is presented, as are transversely isotropic materials, composite materials, viscoelastic materials and hyperelastic materials with isotropic damage. Another central chapter is devoted to the thermodynamics of materials, covering both finite thermoelasticity and finite thermoviscoelasticity. Also included are: * an up-to-date list of almost 300 references and a comprehensive index * useful examples and exercises for the student * selected topics of statistical and continuum thermodynamics. Furthermore, the principle of virtual work (in both the material and spatial descriptions) is compared with two and three-field variational principles particularly designed to capture kinematic constraints such as incompressibility. All of the features combined result in an essential text for final year undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in mechanical, civil and aerospace engineering and applied maths and physics. This text is the best one after I bought several other continuum mechanics texts which made me frustrated again and again. This text is in depth, but very easy to understand. The style the author wrote the text is very clear and classic. You can really feel it is an enjoyment to study the text and make progress smoothly every day. Nonlinear solid mechanics deals with nonlinear constitutive equations for physical objects such as rubber, metal, ceramics, wood, living tissues, etc.. The continuum approach allows the explanation of physical phenomena without detailed knowledge of their internal microstructure. Providing a modern and comprehensive coverage of continuum mechanics, this volume includes information on "variational principles"--Significant, as this is the only method by which such material is actually utilized in engineering practice The aim of this chapter is to present the fundamental rules and standard results of tensor algebra and tensor calculus permanently used in nonlinear continuum mechanics.