Scientists and engineers have long been interested in solving problems dealing with impact theory and behavior-an area involving tool design, foundry and machine-shop operations, ordnance and explosions, vehicular accidents, and many other fields. This carefully organized and skillfully written text takes readers through the mathematical complexities of impact theory, with scores of illuminating figures, tables, and other examples of the reactions of material to rapidly applied stress. After a brief introduction to the nature of physical impact, the text examines stereomechanical impact; vibrational aspects of impact; contact phenomena produced by the impact of elastic bodies; dynamic processes involving plastic strains; and results of impact experiments. A final chapter considers dynamic properties of materials, specifically, tests involving dynamic loads and notched-bar impact, as well as dynamic tensile tests and dynamic compressive and torsion tests. Thoroughly annotated with bibliographic references, this well-illustrated treatment presumes some knowledge of partial differential equations, operational calculus, and elasticity. Notation. Supplementary References. Bibliography and Author Index. Subject Index. Errata (2001).