Book revew

[leah ratner]

"Non-Linear Theory of Elasticity and Optimal Design" published by Elsevier/Science discusses the new principles in logic that allows to build and prove a physical theory. There is new point of view on the relation between Mathematics and Physics, on the nature of the relations between physical whole and its parts,on the relative nature of physical properties, and on the nature of proof in physical theory. As well the book gives very simple practical method of optimization of structures. The new theory provides a new foundation for structural design.It is well known fact that traditional theory of elasticity is an inadequate for solving engineering problems. For example: "In order to select an optimal structure among possible similar structures, one needs to compare the elastic behavior of the structures. A new criterion that describes elastic behavior is the rate of change of deformation. Using this criterion, the safe dimensions of a structure that are required by the stress distributed in a structure can be calculated. The new non-linear theory of elasticity allows one to determine the actual individual limit of elasticity/failure of a structure using a simple non-destuctive test-measurement of deformation while presently it can be done only with a destructive test for each structure.For building and explaining the theory a new logical structure was introduced as the basis of the theory. One of the important physical implications of this logic is that it describes mathematically the universal domain of the possible stable physical relations." The Contents of this book can be found on the internet sites of the publisher and the sites of the different book stores.The book ISBN 0444514279.

l. ratner, author










l.ratner