Shock physics focuses on the understanding of what happens to matter under extreme conditions, and is a truly interdisciplinary topic of investigation encompassing physics, chemistry, materials science, solid mechanics, planetary sciences and applied mathematics. Modern research involves both experimental and computational investigations into ultrafast material phenomena and has diverse applications including analysing the effect of meteorite impacts on planets, spacecraft and satellites; and understanding the high-pressure conditions that occur at the core of planets.

Physics of Shock and Impact deals with the shock physics of solids with emphasis on impact applications that are brought about by any of a variety of intense energy stimulations and a number of topics in shock physics are addressed in some depth. Comprising two volumes, this work covers physical, material, mechanical and thermodynamic fundamentals of shock physics where appropriate. Also addressed are current research topics in shock physics, a number of which have yet to achieve a mature status of understanding. The various chapters also include a range of analytic solutions that address topics in the many applications involving shock physics. The solutions are tutorial in nature but are, in many cases, useful complements to comparable computational solutions in that underlying shock physics is usually more clearly revealed. In a number of cases, unique shockwave and impact data are used to supplement the presented topic.

Volume 1, Fundamentals and dynamic failure, provides an introduction to the fundamentals of shockwave physics and progresses to the modes of shock failure through spall, fragmentation and shear localization.