Asymptotic methods in mechanics of solids (Q2348099)

This textbook represents the merging of two special courses taught in USSR (Leningrad University) namely ``Introduction to the asymptotic methods'' and ``Asymptotic methods in mechanics''. Later a survey written for a collection of research paper was added thus leading to the present book. The book might be considered as an advanced course with emphasize on applications. There exist also other ideas that might be considered as a motivation for this book. One of them is that of Kruskal who, while coining the new term ``Asymptology'', defined it, in fact as the whole area of the asymptotic methods, as lying between science and art. Finally, it should be mentioned that from the applications of the Mechanics of solids, there were selected those leading to ordinary differential equations, e.g. steady state solutions that could be described in one space dimensions. The aforementioned aspects are defining the structure of this book in 6 chapters entitled as follows: 1. Asymptotic estimates. 2. Asymptotic estimates for integrals. 3. Regular perturbations of ordinary differential equations. 4. Singularly perturbed ordinary differential equations. 5. Singularly perturbed ordinary differential equations with turning points. 6. Asymptotic integration of nonlinear differential equations. It is worth mentioning that the Bibliography of this book with its 66 entries is covering most of the classical references of the field -- textbooks or research monographs -- including some widespread references of the Soviet period. Moreover, the Introduction of the book represents a concise guided tour among the aforementioned references. In the book's economy, the first chapters represent some kind of initiation in the problems dealing with asymptotic expansions and asymptotic approach. Starting from the (Bachmann Landau) symbols and their manipulation, the reader is led through a multitude of procedures and approaches that are illustrated and applied to several mathematical problems of Algebra and Calculus. Already here one can observe the inherited textbook structure -- learning through problem solving but also a list of solutions at the end of each chapter. The 3third chapter -- on regular perturbations of ordinary differential equations -- contains asymptotic solutions for the Cauchy problem, periodic solutions and also boundary value problems. In the case of the periodic solutions, stability and some transients aspects are analyzed using the asymptotic approach. Here one has to add some problems related to Mechanics as eigenvalue problems and boundary problems for equations with highly oscillating coefficients. The part dedicated to singular perturbations is by far the \textit{pièce de résistance} of the book. The asymptotic approach deals with roots of the characteristic equations, boundary value problems and several applications from Mechanics. The two chapters are concerned with linear equations but some results for nonlinear equations are sketched in the last chapter: Cauchy problems and perturbations (singular) for boundary value problems. As an overall appreciation, it should be said that this book is a valuable contribution and a valuable complement of the existing literature in the field of asymptotic methods. The integration of the applications from Mechanics of solids should enlarge the circle of the potential readers.