Self-contained coverage of topics ranging from elementary theory of waves and vibrations in strings to three-dimensional theory of waves in thick plates. Over 100 problems.

The most readable survey of the theoretical core of current knowledge available. The author gives a concise account of the classical theory necessary to an understanding of the subject and considers how this theory has been extended to solids.

This volume contains 16 classic essays from the 17th to the 21st centuries on aspects of elastic wave theory.

In this monograph I record those parts of the theory of transverse isotropic elastic wave propagation which lend themselves to an exact treatment, within the framework of linear theory. Emphasis is placed on transient wave motion problems in two- and three-dimensional unbounded and semibounded solids for which explicit results can be obtained, without resort to approximate methods of integration. The mathematical techniques used, many of which appear here in book form for the first time, will be of interest to applied mathematicians, engeneers and scientists whose specialty includes crystal acoustics, crystal optics, magnetogasdynamics, dislocation theory, seismology and fibre wound composites. My interest in the subject of anisotropic wave motion had its origin in the study of small deformations superposed on large deformations of elastic solids. By varying the initial stretch in a homogeneously deformed solid, it is possible to synthesize aniso tropic materials whose elastic parameters vary continuously. The range of the parameter variation is limited by stability considerations in the case of small deformations super posed on large deformation problems and (what is essentially the same thing) by the of hyperbolicity (solids whose parameters allow wave motion) for anisotropic notion solids. The full implication of hyperbolicity for anisotropic elastic solids has never been previously examined, and even now the constraints which it imposes on the elasticity constants have only been examined for the class of transversely isotropic (hexagonal crystals) materials.

Waves are a ubiquitous and important feature of the physical world, and throughout history it has been a major challenge to understand them. They can propagate on the surfaces of solids and of fluids; chemical waves control the beating of your heart; traffic jams move in waves down lanes crowded with vehicles. This introduction to the mathematics of wave phenomena is aimed at advanced undergraduate courses on waves for mathematicians, physicists or engineers. Some more advanced material on both linear and nonlinear waves is also included, thus making the book suitable for beginning graduate courses. The authors assume some familiarity with partial differential equations, integral transforms and asymptotic expansions as well as an acquaintance with fluid mechanics, elasticity and electromagnetism. The context and physics that underlie the mathematics is clearly explained at the beginning of each chapter. Worked examples and exercises are supplied throughout, with solutions available to teachers.

This is the second work of a set of two volumes on the phenomena of wave propagation in nonreacting and reacting media. The first, entitled Wave Propagation in Solids and Fluids (published by Springer-Verlag in 1988), deals with wave phenomena in nonreacting media (solids and fluids). This book is concerned with wave propagation in reacting media-specifically, in electro magnetic materials. Since these volumes were designed to be relatively self contained, we have taken the liberty of adapting some of the pertinent material, especially in the theory of hyperbolic partial differential equations (concerned with electromagnetic wave propagation), variational methods, and Hamilton-Jacobi theory, to the phenomena of electromagnetic waves. The purpose of this volume is similar to that of the first, except that here we are dealing with electromagnetic waves. We attempt to present a clear and systematic account of the mathematical methods of wave phenomena in electromagnetic materials that will be readily accessible to physicists and engineers. The emphasis is on developing the necessary mathematical tech niques, and on showing how these methods of mathematical physics can be effective in unifying the physics of wave propagation in electromagnetic media. Chapter 1 presents the theory of time-varying electromagnetic fields, which involves a discussion of Faraday's laws, Maxwell's equations, and their appli cations to electromagnetic wave propagation under a variety of conditions.

Mechanics of Continua and Wave Dynamics is a textbook for a course on the mechanics of solids and fluids with the emphasis on wave theory. The material is presented with simplicity and clarity but also with mathematical rigor. Many wave phenomena, especially those of geophysical nature (different types of waves in the ocean, seismic waves in the earth crust, wave propagation in the atmosphere, etc.), are considered. Each subject is introduced with simple physical concepts using numerical examples and models. The treatment then goes into depth and complicated aspects are illustrated by appropriate generalizations. Numerous exercises with solutions will help students to comprehend and assimilate the ideas.