A First Course in Rational Continuum Mechanics, Volume 1: General Concepts describes general concepts in rational continuum mechanics and covers topics ranging from bodies and forces to motions and energies, kinematics, and the stress tensor. Constitutive relations are also discussed, and some definitions and theorems of algebra, geometry, and calculus are included. Exercises and their solutions are given as well. Comprised of four chapters, this volume begins with an introduction to rational mechanics by focusing on the mathematical concepts of bodies, forces, motions, and energies. Systems that provide possible universes for mechanics are described. The next chapter explores kinematics, with emphasis on bodies, placements, and motions as well as other relevant concepts like local deformation and homogeneous transplacement. The book also considers the stress tensor and Cauchy's fundamental theorem before concluding with a discussion on constitutive relations. This monograph is designed for students taking a course in mathematics or physics.

A First Course in Rational Continuum Mechanics V1

The modeling and simulation of fluids, solids and other materials with significant coupling and thermal effects is becoming an increasingly important area of study in applied mathematics and engineering. Necessary for such studies is a fundamental understanding of the basic principles of continuum mechanics and thermodynamics. This book is a clear introduction to these principles. It is designed for a one- or two-quarter course for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in the mathematical and engineering sciences, and is based on over nine years of teaching experience. It is also sufficiently self-contained for use outside a classroom environment. Prerequisites include a basic knowledge of linear algebra, multivariable calculus, differential equations and physics. The authors begin by explaining tensor algebra and calculus in three-dimensional Euclidean space. Using both index and coordinate-free notation, they introduce the basic axioms of continuum mechanics pertaining to mass, force, motion, temperature, energy and entropy, and the concepts of frame-indifference and material constraints. They devote four chapters to different theories of fluids and solids, and, unusually at this level, they consider both isothermal and thermal theories in detail. The book contains a wealth of exercises that support the theory and illustrate various applications. Full solutions to odd-numbered exercises are given at the end of each chapter and a complete solutions manual for all exercises is available to instructors upon request. Each chapter also contains a bibliography with references covering different presentations, further applications and numerical aspects of the theory. Book jacket.