Publisher's Synopsis
This text provides a lucid introduction to the theory of elasticity as applied to isotropic, orthotropic, and laminated structures. Taking an application-oriented approach, the authors clearly emphasize the need for rigorous analysis and illustrate its utility for a variety of problems. The simultaneous treatment of comparable isotropic and orthotropic problems enables readers to easily visualize the changes in structural behavior due to material orthotropy. Suitable as a textbook for graduate students in engineering, the book is also an invaluable self-study aid for practicing engineers.