Although the theory behind solitary waves of strain shows that they hold significant promise in nondestructive testing and a variety of other applications, an enigma has long persisted-the absence of observable elastic solitary waves in practice. Inspired by this apparent contradiction, Strain Solitons in Solids and How to Construct Them refines th

Although the theory behind solitary waves of strain shows that they hold significant promise in nondestructive testing and a variety of other applications, an enigma has long persisted-the absence of observable elastic solitary waves in practice. Inspired by this apparent contradiction, Strain Solitons in Solids and How to Construct Them refines the existing theory, explores how to construct a powerful deformation pulse in a waveguide without plastic flow or fracture, and proposes a direct method of strain soliton generation, detection, and observation. The author focuses on the theory, simulation, generation, and propagation of strain solitary waves in a nonlinearly elastic, straight cylindrical rod under finite deformations. He introduces the general theory of wave propagation in nonlinearly elastic solids and shows, from first principles, how its main ideas can lead to successful experiments. In doing so, he develops a new approach to solving the corresponding doubly dispersive equation (DDE) with dissipative terms, leading to new explicit and exact solutions. He also shows that the method is applicable to a variety of nonlinear problems. First discovered in virtual reality, nonlinear waves and solitons in solids are finally moving into the genuine reality of physics, mechanics, and engineering. Strain Solitons in Solids and How to Construct Them shows how to balance the mathematics of the problem with the application of the results to experiments and ultimately to generating and observing solitons in solids.

Our new monograph has been inspired by the former one, Earthquake Source Asymmetry, Structural Media, and Rotation Effects (R. Teisseyre, M. Takeo, and E. Majewski, eds, Springer 2006). Some problems, c- cerned primarily but not exclusively with the basic theoretical nature, have appeared to us as worthy of further analysis. Thus, in the present mo- graph we intend to develop new theoretical approaches to the theory of continua that go far beyond the traditional seismological applications. We also try to present the links between the experimental data, the observed rotational seismic waves, and their theoretical evaluation and description. In addition, we consider the basic point motions and deformations, and we intend to find the invariant forms to describe such point motions. We believe that there must exist the basic equations for all point motions and deformations, and we derive such relations within a frame of a continuum theory. Thus, in the considered standard asymmetric theory, we include relations not only for the displacement velocities but also for a spin motion and basic point deformations as well. We include here the axial point - formation and twist point deformation represented by the string-string and string-membrane motions. A twist vector is defined here as a vector p- pendicular to the string-string plane and representing its magnitude. It - comes an important counterpart to spin and a key to the presented theory. We show in the forthcoming chapters that the twist motion describes the oscillations of shear axes.

This book uses asymptotic methods to obtain simple approximate analytic solutions to various problems within mechanics, notably wave processes in heterogeneous materials. Presenting original solutions to common issues within mechanics, this book builds upon years of research to demonstrate the benefits of implementing asymptotic techniques within mechanical engineering and material science. Focusing on linear and nonlinear wave phenomena in complex micro-structured solids, the book determines their global characteristics through analysis of their internal structure, using homogenization and asymptotic procedures, in line with the latest thinking within the field. The book’s cutting-edge methodology can be applied to optimal design, non-destructive control and in deep seismic sounding, providing a valuable alternative to widely used numerical methods. Using case studies, the book covers topics such as elastic waves in nonhomogeneous materials, regular and chaotic dynamics based on continualisation and discretization and vibration localization in 1D Linear and Nonlinear lattices. The book will be of interest to students, research engineers, and professionals specialising in mathematics and physics as well as mechanical and civil engineering.

This second volume of the series Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics is the second part of the compendium of reviewed articles presented at the 11th EUROMECH-MECAMAT conference entitled "Mechanics of microstructured solids: cellular materials, fibre reinforced solids and soft tissues", which took place in Torino (Italy) in March 10-14, 2008, at the Museo Regional delle Scienze. This EUROMECH-MECAMAT conference was jointly organized by the Dipartimento di Matematica dell'Università di Torino, Italy and the INPL Institute (LEMTA, Nancy-Université, France). Prof. Franco Pastrone and Prof. Jean-François Ganghoffer were the co-chairmen.

This book gathers contributions on various aspects of the theory and applications of linear and nonlinear waves and associated phenomena, as well as approaches developed in a global partnership of researchers with the national Centre of Excellence in Nonlinear Studies (CENS) at the Department of Cybernetics of Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia. The papers chiefly focus on the role of mathematics in the analysis of wave phenomena. They highlight the complexity of related topics concerning wave generation, propagation, transformation and impact in solids, gases, fluids and human tissues, while also sharing insights into selected mathematical methods for the analytical and numerical treatment of complex phenomena. In addition, the contributions derive advanced mathematical models, share innovative ideas on computing, and present novel applications for a number of research fields where both linear and nonlinear wave problems play an important role. The papers are written in a tutorial style, intended for non-specialist researchers and students. The authors first describe the basics of a problem that is currently of interest in the scientific community, discuss the state of the art in related research, and then share their own experiences in tackling the problem. Each chapter highlights the importance of applied mathematics for central issues in the study of waves and associated complex phenomena in different media. The topics range from basic principles of wave mechanics up to the mathematics of Planet Earth in the broadest sense, including contemporary challenges in the mathematics of society. In turn, the areas of application range from classic ocean wave mathematics to material science, and to human nerves and tissues. All contributions describe the approaches in a straightforward manner, making them ideal material for educational purposes, e.g. for courses, master class lectures, or seminar presentations.

This overview of the development of continuum mechanics throughout the twentieth century is unique and ambitious. Utilizing a historical perspective, it combines an exposition on the technical progress made in the field and a marked interest in the role played by remarkable individuals and scientific schools and institutions on a rapidly evolving social background. It underlines the newly raised technical questions and their answers, and the ongoing reflections on the bases of continuum mechanics associated, or in competition, with other branches of the physical sciences, including thermodynamics. The emphasis is placed on the development of a more realistic modeling of deformable solids and the exploitation of new mathematical tools. The book presents a balanced appraisal of advances made in various parts of the world. The author contributes his technical expertise, personal recollections, and international experience to this general overview, which is very informative albeit concise.

This book describes an effective method for modeling advanced materials like polymers, composite materials and biomaterials, which are, as a rule, inhomogeneous. The thermoelastic theory with internal variables presented here provides a general framework for predicting a material’s reaction to external loading. The basic physical principles provide the primary theoretical information, including the evolution equations of the internal variables. The cornerstones of this framework are the material representation of continuum mechanics, a weak nonlocality, a non-zero extra entropy flux, and a consecutive employment of the dissipation inequality. Examples of thermoelastic phenomena are provided, accompanied by detailed procedures demonstrating how to simulate them.