This book examines the theoretical foundations underpinning the field of strength of materials/theory of elasticity, beginning from the origins of the modern theory of elasticity. While the focus is on the advances made within Italy during the nineteenth century, these achievements are framed within the overall European context. The vital contributions of Italian mathematicians, mathematical physicists and engineers in respect of the theory of elasticity, continuum mechanics, structural mechanics, the principle of least work and graphical methods in engineering are carefully explained and discussed. The book represents a work of historical research that primarily comprises original contributions and summaries of work published in journals. It is directed at those graduates in engineering, but also in architecture, who wish to achieve a more global and critical view of the discipline and will also be invaluable for all scholars of the history of mechanics.

Provides the first systematic approach to the history of strength of materials and theory of elasticity in Italy Includes numerous quotations in the original language, accompanied by English translations Offers original and in-depth reflections on the methodologies of the past Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Danilo Capecchi is full professor of mechanics of solids and of history of science at the University of Rome La Sapienza (Italy). His researches in the history of science mainly concern classical mechanics.

Inhalt
The theory of elasticity in the 19th century.- An aristocratic scholar: Gabrio Piola.- The mathematicians of the Risorgimento.- Solving statically indeterminate systems.- Computations by means of drawings.- Quotations.