Continuum Mechanics [Hardcover]

I-Shih Liu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2002 | ISBN-10: 3540430199 | ISBN-13: 978-3540430193 | Edition: 1

This concise textbook develops step by step the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics. Emphasis is on mathematical clarity, and an extended appendix provides the required background knowledge in linear algebra and tensor calculus. After introducing the basic notions about general kinematics, balance equations, material objectivity and constitutive functions, the book turns to the presentation of rational thermodynamics by stressing the role of Lagrange multipliers in deriving constitutive funcitions from the underlying entropy principle. A brief lecture on extended thermodynamics closes the book. Many examples and exercises round off the material presendted in the chapters. The book addresses primarily advanced undergraduate students in theoretical physics, applied mathematics and materials sciences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "The strength of the book lies in the presentation of a very general and rational framework for constitutive formulations and the role thermodynamics plays in these formulations. [...] Continuum Mechanics is recommended more as a reference book for students and researchers in applied mechanics and structural mechanics [...] The text is also recommended as a textbook for students in the fields of theoretical physics and applied mathematics for which a more rational framework of continuum mechanics is required." (Applied Mechanics Review, 56/3, 2003) "It is probably a pleasure for all scientists working in the field of continuum mechanics to have a new book by hand which gives a compact and modern introduction into continuum mechanics and thermodynamics and which is enhanced with numerous examples and exercises. … the book can be recommended to senior undergraduates and graduate students at the master and PhD level as well as to research scientists and teachers." (Technische Mechanik, Vol. 25 (2), 2005) "This book contains a modern presentation of the basic principles of continuum mechanics … together with an introduction to the basic ideas of rational extended thermodynamics. … The book is self-contained, since the appendix contains all relevant material and notation of tensor analysis which is needed in the book. … the unified treatment of both rational continuum mechanics and extended thermodynamics is a novelty and renders the book a useful didactic tool." (Paolo Cermelli, Mathematical Reviews, 2005 c) "The book under review has been written and used in conjunction with an introductory course on continuum mechanics … . Each chapter has examples and exercises to supplement the basic material. … this is a compact well-written textbook on continuum mechanics, with a strong emphasis on thermodynamics." (Cornelius O. Horgan, SIAM Reviews, Vol. 45 (2), 2003) "This book is intended primarily as a textbook for graduate students and advanced undergraduate students in theoretical physics, applied mathematics, and engineering sciences. The text can also serve as a reference book for students and researchers in the fields of applied and structural mechanics. … The strength of the book lies in the presentation of a very general and rational framework for constitutive formulations and the role thermodynamics plays in these formulations. … In summary, Continuum Mechanics is recommended … ." (E. DeSantiago, Applied Mechanics Reviews, Vol. 56 (3), 2003)

From the Back Cover

This concise textbook develops step by step the fundamental principles of continuum mechanics. Emphasis is on mathematical clarity, and an extended appendix provides the required background knowledge in linear algebra and tensor calculus. After introducing the basic notions about general kinematics, balance equations, material objectivity and constitutive functions, the book turns to the presentation of rational thermodynamics by stressing the role of Lagrange multipliers in deriving constitutive funcitions from the underlying entropy principle. A brief lecture on extended thermodynamics closes the book. Many examples and exercises round off the material presented in the chapters. The book addresses primarily advanced undergraduate students in theoretical physics, applied mathematics and materials sciences.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 309 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (August 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540430199
• ISBN-13: 978-3540430193
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Entropy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice reference, May 28, 2008

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John Edmiston - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Continuum Mechanics (Hardcover)

This book is very concise but goes into some details that other continuum mechanics books don't, e.g. representations of tensor functions, material symmetry, a bunch of thermodynamics which I haven't seen before, maybe I'll understand it eventually. The notation is consistent with modern non-linear cont. mechanics so is nice from that end (direct notation). Not appropriate for a first introduction though be warned. Nice, unique appendices on the normal things e.g. linear algebra/tensor calculus. 4.5 stars if the option were there, I rounded down since it's so curt. Highly recommend.