Experimental solid mechanics is the study of materials to determine their physical properties. This study might include performing a stress analysis or measuring the extent of displacement, shape, strain and stress which a material suffers under controlled conditions. In the last few years there have been remarkable developments in experimental techniques that measure shape, displacement and strains and these sorts of experiments are increasingly conducted using computational techniques. Experimental Mechanics of Solids is a comprehensive introduction to the topics, technologies and methods of experimental mechanics of solids. It begins by establishing the fundamentals of continuum mechanics, explaining key areas such as the equations used, stresses and strains, and two and three dimensional problems. Having laid down the foundations of the topic, the book then moves on to look at specific techniques and technologies with emphasis on the most recent developments such as optics and image processing. Most of the current computational methods, as well as practical ones, are included to ensure that the book provides information essential to the reader in practical or research applications. Key features: Presents widely used and accepted methodologies that are based on research and development work of the lead author Systematically works through the topics and theories of experimental mechanics including detailed treatments of the Moire, Speckle and holographic optical methods Includes illustrations and diagrams to illuminate the topic clearly for the reader Provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic, and also acts as a quick reference guide This comprehensive book forms an invaluable resource for graduate students and is also a point of reference for researchers and practitioners in structural and materials engineering.

Summarizing the latest advances in experimental impact mechanics, this book provides cutting-edge techniques and methods for designing, executing, analyzing, and interpreting the results of experiments involving the dynamic responses of materials and structures. It provides tailored guidelines and solutions for specific applications and materials, covering topics such as dynamic characterization of metallic materials, fiber-like materials, low-impedance materials, concrete and more. Damage evolution and constitutive behavior of materials under impact loading, one-dimensional strain loading, intermediate and high strain rates, and other environmental conditions are discussed, as are techniques using high temperature testing and miniature Kolsky bars. Provides cutting-edge techniques and methods for designing, executing, analyzing, and interpreting the results of experimental impact mechanics Covers experimental guidelines and solutions for an array of different materials, conditions, and applications Enables readers to quickly design and perform their own experiments and properly interpret the results Looks at application-specific post-test analysis

The text is intended for upper-division undergraduate students or graduate students beginning to study experimental methods. The book reflects many of the changes in experimental mechanics that have occurred during the past decade. A significant amount of new content has been added by expanding existing chapters.

Accompanying DVD-ROM contains ... "all chapters of the Springer Handbook."--Page 3 of cover.

The Springer Handbook of Experimental Solid Mechanics documents both the traditional techniques as well as the new methods for experimental studies of materials, components, and structures. The emergence of new materials and new disciplines, together with the escalating use of on- and off-line computers for rapid data processing and the combined use of experimental and numerical techniques have greatly expanded the capabilities of experimental mechanics. New exciting topics are included on biological materials, MEMS and NEMS, nanoindentation, digital photomechanics, photoacoustic characterization, and atomic force microscopy in experimental solid mechanics. Presenting complete instructions to various areas of experimental solid mechanics, guidance to detailed expositions in important references, and a description of state-of-the-art applications in important technical areas, this thoroughly revised and updated edition is an excellent reference to a widespread academic, industrial, and professional engineering audience.

From the characterization of materials to accelerated life testing, experimentation with solids and structures is present in all stages of the design of mechanical devices. Sometimes only an experimental model can bring the necessary elements for understanding, the physics under study just being too complex for an efficient numerical model. This book presents the classical tools in the experimental approach to mechanical engineering, as well as the methods that have revolutionized the field over the past 20 years: photomechanics, signal processing, statistical data analysis, design of experiments, uncertainty analysis, etc. Experimental Mechanics of Solids and Structures also replaces mechanical testing in a larger context: firstly, that of the experimental model, with its own hypotheses; then that of the knowledge acquisition process, which is structured and robust; finally, that of a reliable analysis of the results obtained, in a context where uncertainty could be important.