The author applies methods of nonlinear elasticity to investigate the defects in the crystal structure of solids such as dislocations and disclinations that characterize the plastic and strength properties of many materials. Contrary to the geometrically motivated nonlinear theory of dislocations continuously distributed over the body, nonlinear analysis of isolated dislocations and disclinations is less developed; it is given for the first time in this book, and in a form accessible to both students and researchers. The general theory of Volterra''s dislocations in elastic media under large deformations is developed. A number of exact solutions are found. The nonlinear approach to investigating the isolated defects produces results that often differ qualitatively from those of the linear theory.
