ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how various heat conduction problems can be solved by removing the space variable(s) by means of integral transforms. In solving unsteady-state problems, on the other hand, the time variable may be removed from the problem by Laplace transforms. The Laplace transform method is also an integral transform method. However, in this chapter, and through the rest of the book, it talks about integral transform methods; the authors will be referring to the transforms. There are both advantages and disadvantages of the Laplace transform method as compared to the other integral transform methods. The Laplace transform method is particularly applicable to time-dependent problems and. in fact, is attractive for one-dimensional problems. The chapter examines the basic properties of Laplace transforms. It discusses the method of solution of various unsteady-state heat conduction problems by Laplace transforms in terms of various representative examples.
