Nonlinear Elasticity: A Concise Masterclass for Undergraduates - Softcover

Destrade, Michel; Zurlo, Giuseppe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3031912764 ISBN 13: 9783031912764

Publisher: Springer, 2026

Synopsis

This textbook provides a rigorous yet accessible introduction to Nonlinear Elasticity aimed at undergraduate students in a compact text. Rooted in concepts from first- and second-year undergraduate Linear Algebra and Calculus (and very little Tensor Algebra), the book touches upon all the fundamental aspects of nonlinear elasticity, from the analysis of deformation and stress, to the constitutive response and modelling of soft solids, to the lab experiments required to obtain their material properties, and to the concepts of equilibrium and energy minimization. Nonlinear Elasticity is an elegant, physics-based, mathematical theory, one usually only available at graduate level to students in advanced studies of engineering, applied mathematics, and theoretical physics.  Over the past ten years, the authors developed a classroom-tested pedagogy aimed at narrowing the range of the skills required to approach Nonlinear Elasticity from the perspective of an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Engineering, as displayed in this book. It concludes with an analysis of several worked examples, spanning a variety of problems of high technical importance and relevance. The book is organized for use as a core text in the classroom or as a self-contained guide of (24 lectures) for independent learning.

About this title

About the Author

Michel Destrade is the Chair of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Galway, Ireland.

Giuseppe Zurlo is an Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Galway, Ireland.

From the Back Cover

This textbook provides a rigorous yet accessible introduction to Nonlinear Elasticity aimed at undergraduate students in a compact text. Rooted in concepts from first- and second-year undergraduate Linear Algebra and Calculus (and very little Tensor Algebra), the book touches upon all the fundamental aspects of nonlinear elasticity, from the analysis of deformation and stress, to the constitutive response and modelling of soft solids, to the lab experiments required to obtain their material properties, and to the concepts of equilibrium and energy minimization. Nonlinear Elasticity is an elegant, physics-based, mathematical theory, one usually only available at graduate level to students in advanced studies of engineering, applied mathematics, and theoretical physics.  Over the past ten years, the authors developed a classroom-tested pedagogy aimed at narrowing the range of the skills required to approach Nonlinear Elasticity from the perspective of an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Engineering, as displayed in this book. It concludes with an analysis of several worked examples, spanning a variety of problems of high technical importance and relevance. The book is organized for use as a core text in the classroom or as a self-contained guide of (24 lectures) for independent learning.

• Provides a fresh and compact introduction to the theory of Nonlinear Elasticity, rooted in Linear Algebra and Calculus;   
• Focuses on basic mathematical tools familiar to mid-stage undergraduates, reinforcing concepts with chapter exercises; 
Explains concepts of Nonlinear Elasticity required to describe and characterize the mechanical behavior of soft solids. 

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3031912764
• ISBN 13: 9783031912764
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 119