The publication of this volume, the first in a series, is a major event for those interested in Applied Mechanics in general and Thermal Stresses in particular. It is only about thirty years ago that the first books devoted exclusively to the subject of Thermal Stresses appeared in print. Since then, many advances have been made, both in theory and in applications. Modern requirements in design and construction of a multitude of products require the evaluation of stresses and displacements caused by the temperature fields which change in time and space. It is hoped that the state-of-the-art articles in this series will stimulate interest in this field of research and will also be of assistance to engineers in their everyday work.

This is the fourth volume of the handbook Thermal Stresses. Following the principles established when the first volume was published in 1986, the fourth volume consists of six separate chapters prepared by specialists in the field. Each chapter is devoted to a different topic in the area of Thermal Stresses. Many results have been published for the first time in Thermal Stresses IV. The exposition of the material is on the state-of-the art level, which should be appropriate for graduate students, researchers, and engineers specializing in the field of stress analysis. In most cases the material is presented with some historical perspective. A large number of references provided will allow the readers to augment their knowledge, after studying a particular chapter.

Highly regarded text presents detailed discussion of fundamental aspects of theory, background, problems with detailed solutions. Basics of thermoelasticity, heat transfer theory, thermal stress analysis, more. 1985 edition.

This volume of Thermal Stresses in ~~terials and Structures in Severe Thermal Environments constitutes the proceedings of an international conference held at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, on ~1arch 19, 20 and 21, 1980. The purpose of the conference was to bring together experts in the areas of heat transfer, theoretical and applied mechanics amd materials science and engineering, with a.common interest in the highly interdisciplinary nature of the thermal stress problem. It is the hope of the program chairmen that the resulting interac tion has led to a greater understanding of the underlying prin ciples of the thermal stress problem and to an improved design and selection of materials for structures subjected to high thermal stresses. The program chairmen gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance for the conference provided by the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Office and the Office of Naval Research as well as the Departments of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Materials Engineering at Virginia Poly technic Institute and State University. A number of professional societies also provided mailing lists for the program at no nominal cost The Associate Director, Mr. R. J. Harshberger and his staff at the Conference Center for Continuing Education at VPI and SU should be recognized especially for their coordination of the con ference activities, lunches and banquet. Provost John D. Wilson gave a most enlightening and provocative after-dinner speech.