Theory of Elasticity: Volume 7 (Theoretical Physics)

Like all books in Landau's classic series of books, this one also presents a clear, first-principles description of the mathematical theory underlying some part of physics, in this case, elasticity. I already own Timoshenko's text and like this book far better. This has to do with my specific purpose: I was mainly looking for a reference text that explains the theory concisely and yet completely. I already have a good grasp of other areas in physics, differential calculus, tensors etc. Timoshenko's "build up" starting with plane stress/strain and going towards 3D might be good for students, but left me a bit frustrated as I tried to string together the big picture from snapshots here and there. On the other hand, when I received and opened this book today, the first chapter's title said: "Fundamental Equations," and it made me smile. In typical Landau fashion, the book always goes from the general towards the specific, fast, which is excellent for conveying the essence and global structure of a physical theory. Such structure also clarifies the scope of applicability of various approximations. It transmits the essential mathematical formulation of elasticity in 17 pages. So, if you're looking for a concise, compact, clear theoretical description of elasticity, I highly recommend this book. If you own other books in this series for similar reasons, you will also love this one.

Thank you!

Il n'est pas nécessaire de présenter la collection MIR ni ses auteurs qui, il y a 60 ans, ont tenté de créer une encyclopédie de physique et de mathématiques très bon marché, visant l'excellence sans compromis démagogique ni pédagogique : c'est dire à quel point les temps ont changé . Dans ce qui était l'union soviétique, cette entreprise a conduit à mettre dans les mains de nombreux étudiants dont j'étais, des livres sur des sujets variés sans comparaison avec la littérature scientifique ni anglosaxonne ni française. Bien sûr il y avait dans la collection MIR quelques insuffisances mais beaucoup de ces livres alliaient l'orignalité de la démarche avec la pertinence des propos. Il a parfois été reproché l'abondance des mathématiques mais c'est en cela même que ces livres sont précieux. En effet il faut quelques efforts pour comprendre. L'elasticité est un petit bijou qui malheureusement avait disparu , on ne peut qu'encourager les éditeurs à rééditer toute la collection.

It just doesn't make sense to compare Landau's approach to Timoshenko's. Timoshenko writes for engineers while Landau writes for theoretical physicists so either one of them sucks from the other's perspective. That being said I recomend this book for anyone interested in the subject because it is always enlightening to see Landau's insight

I would have been happy to review this book, but unluckily I have not yet received it (the initial order dates from 24/03/08; the second has been given on the 05/24/08).I thank you for your kind interest in my judgment, and hope I shall have in the future the opportunity to share my views with others customers. Let me remind you that the money has very quickly been taken from my bank account. Theory of Elasticity, Third Edition: Volume 7 (Theoretical Physics, Vol 7)

This is the Volume 7 of the famous Course of Theoretical Physics by L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz. All serious students of theoretical physics must possess the ten volumes of this excellent Course, which cover in detail and rigour practically all the branches of theoretical physics. The Volume 7 treats the subject of the mechanics of deformable bodies. Unlike the major part of other similar books, the Volume 7 is concise and very elegant, and is at the same time detailed in the exposition of the basic elasticity theory. Moreover, it contains certain topics not usually found in other similar books, such as the theory of thermal conduction and viscosity of solids, and a detailed exposition of the fundamentals of the mechanics of liquid crystals. A highly recommended book!

Very disappointed, not with the text but with the multiple errors in the characters, apparently in making the text compatible the editor mixed up the notation in almost every page! Will ask for a return and wait for the printed version...

I was looking for something similar to Timoshenko's "Theory of Elasticity." This was not it. I am a working mechanical engineer. This book is aimed at the physicist/student. It is 200 pages long and crammed full of tensors. They also hit on waves and liquid crystals. I may or may not keep this book.

At the start of my career I tried to read several of the L&L series but, to put it mildly, did not get on with them. Forty years later, I realise that they say everything that needs to be said, clearly and concisely, and I use them whenever I need to remind myself of something I've forgotten or want a precise view of something new. That says it all, although I suppose I should add the rider "what works for me may not work for you". Some reviews complain about the print quality. It is not the best I've seen, but it's perfectly usable.

O livro veio amassado

Good

Nivel adecuado de profundidad y analisis teórico, muy recomendable y apto para físicos e investigadores en el area del tópico de elasticidad.

Testo breve ma molto denso. Non è un testo introduttivo, può essere utile per approfondire argomenti specifici.Considerando la qualità degli autori, non c'è sicuramente bisogno di recensire ulteriormente questo testo.