Template:Elasticity/Intro

Elasticity theory is the most well developed and popular topic in solid mechanics. The theory improves over previous ad hoc (strength of materials) approaches for determining the stresses and deformations of elastic materials. An elastic material is one which, after loading and subsequent removal of the load returns to its original shape (if given sufficient time).

There are several theories of elastic materials:
 * linear elasticity - valid only for infinitesimal strains
 * nonlinear elasticity - valid for a all strains
 * hypoelasticity - elasticity with dissipation
 * hyperelasticity - perfect elasticity
 * viscoelasticity - rate dependent elasticity

Most of these behaviors fall into a class of materials called simple materials.