Includes bibliographical references (pages 239-253) and index.
"An analysis of the current state of deformable medium mechanics reveals a number of deep internal contradictions in this knowledge domain. Whereas deformation and fracture processes are believed to be hierarchically interlinked and combine several structural and scale levels, there are no consistent investigation into the deformation and destruction hierarchy. This book fills the gap focussing on the fracture process in a non-ideal medium." "This book will be of interest to researchers in fracture mechanics, solid state physics and geomechanics. It can also be helpful to students as it presents modern approaches to fracture physics and the continuous theory of defects."--Jacket.