7R2. Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials, Volume 1: Static and Quasi-Static Loading. - YM Haddad (Dept of Mech Eng, Univ of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada). Kluwer Acad Publ, Dordrecht, Netherlands. 2000. 426 pp. ISBN 0-7923-6355-8. $210.00.
Reviewed by J-C Roegiers (Rock Mech Inst, Univ of Oklahoma, Sarkeys Energy Center, Ste P119C, 100 E Boyd, Norman OK 73019-0628).
This book can be considered as a solid reference book containing most of the concepts of static (and quasi-static) mechanics. As such, it first introduces the fundamentals of material behavior, discussing its response and providing data interpretation rules. In his “Introduction,” the author sets the stage by clearly differentiating the various loading rates and their effects on the material response. He also explains why it is preferable to use tensorial calculus when studying the mechanics of deformable media. Both Cartesian as well as curvilinear tensors are introduced in Chapter 1 and Appendix A, respectively. The reader is then exposed to the next logical topics of stress and strains, fundamental concepts in Chapters 2 and 3. Basic assumptions and conventions are clearly stated; the continuum mechanics principles such as conservation and continuity are also introduced. It should be pointed out that at the end of each chapter, the author has given a number of example problems with their solutions as well as some additional exercises. In addition, he has provided recommended further reading lists. Chapter 3 also introduces the reader to kinematics via sequential configurations.
In Chapter 4, the author critically reviews the fundamental thermodynamics concepts, emphasizing the assumptions and limitations. In addition, Chapter 5 discusses the various material behaviors. Hence, the first five chapters, which constitutes more than 50% of this book, provide the proper foundation for the remainder of the chapters.
Elastic response material is dealt with first in Chapter 6 from a classical elasticity point of view, both linear as well as nonlinear. The book contains a few classical examples. Unfortunately, this chapter does not contain any example problems or exercises. Inelastic and time-dependent deformations are introduced in Chapter 7. Both strain hardening and elasto-plastic modeling are covered in detail. At the end of the chapter, the author also discusses in some detail creep and relaxation, emphasizing the time-dependent behavior of some modern man-made materials, such as high polymers and composites. Finally, Chapter 8 covers the visco- and thermovisco-elasticity.
As already mentioned earlier, the three appendices provide the reader with some mathematical background required to be able to follow some of the complex derivations. This is rather useful as the reader is not obliged to refer to other mathematical books.
