Analytical Methods in Anisotropic Elasticity

This comprehensive textbook/reference focuses on the mathematical techniques and solution methodologies required to establish the foundations of anisotropic elasticity and provides the theoretical background for composite material analysis. Specific attention is devoted to the potential of modern symbolic computational tools to support highly complex analytical solutions and their contribution to the rigor, analytical uniformity and exactness of the derivation. Key features: * Refreshes and modernizes classical mathematical methods encountered in the theory of anisotropic elasticity * Reviews basic and advanced steps of general analytical solutions, including the initial assumptions and selection of an adequate analytical course * Demonstrates the potential of symbolic computational tools to support the development of analytical solutions and to verify their exactness * Examines the physical interpretation of exact and approximate mathematical solutions and provides important insight into the involved phenomena * Provides state-of-the-art solutions for a wide range of cases, including non-homogeneous and thin-walled configurations * Includes a CD with the symbolic codes (MAPLE; Versions 8 and 9) for the solutions presented that may be activated to create numerous additional examples containing detailed expressions and graphics Analytical Methods in Anisotropic Elasticity will appeal to a broad audience involved in mathematical modeling, all of whom must have good mathematical skills: graduate students and professors in courses on elasticity and solid-mechanics labs/seminars, applied mathematicians and numerical analysts, scientists and researchers. Engineers involved inaeronautical and space, maritime and mechanical design of composite material structures will find this an excellent hands-on reference text as well. All will benefit from the classical and advanced solutions that are derived and presented using symbolic computational techniques.