Elastic waves in solids I. Free and guided propagation. Transl. from the French by David P. Morgan (Q4935946)

The main topics discussed in the first volume on elastic waves in solids are clear from its contents: Introduction; (1) Waves. Fluid as a scalar model; (2) Crystal properties and their representation by tensors; (3) Elasticity and piezoelectricity; (4) Plane waves in crystals; (5) Guided waves; Appendices: (A) Cylindrical and spherical coordinates; (B) Eigenvectors and eigenvalues of a matrix; (C) Tensor representation of a surface element; References; Further reading; Symbols; Index. The aim of the first volume is to provide theoretical bases for a good understanding of free and guided wave propagation, whereas various applications are described in the second volume. After a short description of the linear behaviour of waves in fluids, the authors discuss in (2) properties of crystals by the use of tensor calculus. An excellent exposition of piezoelectricity is given in (3) by employing the full tensor formalism. In (4) the reader becomes familiar with the theory of plane waves in crystals, whereas the last chapter presents the theory of guided elastic waves. Here the reader will find a description of some well-known types of waves, such as Lamb waves, Rayleigh waves (related to earthquakes), Stonely waves, and so on. The graphical design of the book is excellent, the figures are drawn in bold lines, and there are many computer representations and various tables with physical constants. At the end of each chapter, the authors give problems closely related to the presented theory. The references include classical books in the field (the treatises of Rayleigh, Cady, and Mason), and numerous journal papers where the reader can find the original presentation of the subject.