An Introduction to Continuum Mechanics (Volume 158) (Mathematics in Science and Engineering (Volume 158))

I am of the school that there is no "best" book on any subject matter. Rather, the serious student should look for a spanning set of texts. Defining "best" requires a point of reference and it it clear that a beginner is looking for something different than a researcher. In any case, let me say that if you have taken a beginning course in continuum mechanics, this is an excellent second book. To give this book to a novice and expect them to learn the subject would be like giving Foundations of Mechanics by Marsden to someone and say "go learn classical mechanics". Of all the classics, I think it is best to start with Malvern. It is a good place to absorb the basics and learn index notation. It is the first book I would recommend. Next, progress to Gurtin. The elegance and utility of direct tensor notation will then become clear. Also be aware that Gurtin is a mathematician and approaches the material from the perspective of elegance as opposed to physical insight. Content: Edited by Page iii Copyright page Page iv Preface Page ix Acknowledgments Page xi Chapter I Tensor Algebra Pages 1-17 Chapter II Tensor Analysis Pages 19-40 Chapter III Kinematics Pages 41-85 Chapter IV Mass. Momentum Pages 87-95 Chapter V Force Pages 97-113 Chapter VI Constitutive Assumptions. Inviscid Fluids Pages 115-137 Chapter VII Change in Observer. Invariance of Material Response Pages 139-145 Chapter VIII Newtonian Fluids. The Navier-Stokes Equations Pages 147-164 Chapter IX Finite Elasticity Pages 165-198 Chapter X Linear Elasticity Pages 199-226 Appendix Pages 227-238 38. General Scheme of Notation Pages 239-241 References Pages 243-245 Hints for Selected Exercises Pages 247-260 Index Pages 261-265 This book presents an introduction to the classical theories of continuum mechanics; in particular, to the theories of ideal, compressible, and viscous fluids, and to the linear and nonlinear theories of elasticity. These theories are important, not only because they are applicable to a majority of the problems in continuum mechanics arising in practice, but because they form a solid base upon which one can readily construct more complex theories of material behavior. Further, although attention is limited to the classical theories, the treatment is modern with a major emphasis on foundations and structure