„The book emphasizes the applications of analytical methods in the solutions of boundary value problems (BVPs) in anisotropic elasticity, but the focus is on the procedure of obtaining analytical solutions. It starts with a condensed, mathematically flavored summary of basics of anisotropic elasticity in the first 4 chapters. The primary methods, the global polynomial analysis and the method of complex potentials are then introduced. The methods are applied to various two dimensional and three dimensional BVPs, with a focus on beams with different levels of anisotropy. A feature of this book is that the solution for each type of problems is preceded with a complete mathematical formulation of the BVP. It also contains many solved problems and an extensive list of references. It should be noted that the authors do not discuss how to use symbolic computational tools. The book can be used as a reference for those who are familiar with the theory of elasticity and are interested in analytical solutions of BVPs in anisotropic elasticity.“--MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS
“The book is intended to be a self-contained reference for the topic and aimed at practicing engineers who put the analytical approaches for anisotropic elasticity problems to practical use. Graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students of mechanical engineering could benefit from using the book as well. This well-written book is a reader-friendly and well organized handbook in the field of anisotropic elasticity. It can be highly recommended for experts in Mechanics of Solids, engineers, and for graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students.”(ZENTRALBLATT MATH)
Prior to the computer era, analytical methods in elasticity had already been developed and - proved up to impressive levels. Relevant mathematical techniques were extensively exploited, contributing signi? cantly to the understanding of physical phenomena. In recent decades, - merical computerized techniques have been re? ned and modernized, and have reached high levels of capabilities, standardization and automation. This trend, accompanied by convenient and high resolution graphical visualization capability, has made analytical methods less attr- tive, and the amount of effort devoted to them has become substantially smaller. Yet, with some tenacity, the tremendous advances in computerized tools have yielded various mature programs for symbolic manipulation. Such tools have revived many abandoned analytical methodologies by easing the tedious effort that was previously required, and by providing additional capab- ities to perform complex derivation processes that were once considered impractical. Generally speaking, it is well recognized that analytical solutions should be applied to re- tively simple problems, while numerical techniques may handle more complex cases. However, it is also agreed that analytical solutions provide better insight and improved understanding of the involved physical phenomena, and enable a clear representation of the role taken by each of the problem parameters. Nowadays, analytical and numerical methods are considered as c- plementary: that is, while analytical methods provide the required understanding, numerical solutions provide accuracy and the capability to deal with cases where the geometry and other characteristics impose relatively complex solutions.
