Continuum Mechanics for Engineers (Computational Mechanics and Applied Analysis)

Continuum Mechanics for Engineers, Third Edition provides engineering students with a complete, concise, and accessible introduction to advanced engineering mechanics. The impetus for this latest edition was the need to suitably combine the introduction of continuum mechanics, linear and nonlinear elasticity, and viscoelasticity for a graduate-level course sequence. An outgrowth of course notes and problems used to teach these subjects, the third edition of this bestselling text explores the basic concepts behind these topics and demonstrates their application in engineering practice.

Presents Material Consistent with Modern Literature

A new rearranged and expanded chapter on elasticity more completely covers Saint-Venant’s solutions. Subsections on extension, torsion, pure bending and flexure present an excellent foundation for posing and solving basic elasticity problems. The authors’ presentation enables continuum mechanics to be applied to biological materials, in light of their current importance. They have also altered the book’s notation—a common struggle for many students—to better align it with modern continuum mechanics literature. This book addresses students’ need to understand the sophisticated simulation programs that use nonlinear kinematics and various constitutive relationships. It includes an introduction to problem solution using MATLAB^®, emphasizing this language’s value in enabling users to stay focused on fundamentals.

This book provides information that is useful in emerging engineering areas, such as micro-mechanics and biomechanics. With an abundance of worked examples and chapter problems, it carefully explains necessary mathematics as required and presents numerous illustrations, giving students and practicing professionals an excellent self-study guide to enhance their skills. Through a mastery of this volume’s contents and additional rigorous finite element training, they will develop the mechanics foundation necessary to skillfully use modern, advanced design tools.

G. Thomas Mase, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. Dr. Mase received his B.S. degree from Michigan State University in 1980 from the Department of Metallurgy, Mechanics and Materials Science. He obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1982 and 1985, respectively, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduate school, he has worked at several positions in industry and academia. Industrial companies Dr. Mase has worked full time for include General Motors Research Laboratories, Callaway Golf and Acushnet Golf Company. He has taught or held research positions at the University of Wyoming, Kettering University, Michigan State University and California Polytechnic State University. Dr. Mase is a member of numerous professional societies including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education, International Sports Engineering Association, Society of Experimental Mechanics, Pi Tau Sigma and Sigma Xi. He received an ASEE/NASA Summer Faculty Fellowship in 1990 and 1991 to work at NASA Lewis Research Center (currently NASA Glenn Research Center). While at the University of California, he twice received a distinguished teaching assistant award in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research interests include mechanics, design and applications of explicit finite element simulation. Specific areas include golf equipment design and performance and vehicle crashworthiness.

Ronald E. Smelser, Ph.D., P.E., is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the William States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Smelser received his B.S.M.E. from the University of Cincinnati in 1971. He was awarded the S.M.M.E. in 1972 from M.I.T. and completed his Ph.D. (1978) in mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He gained industrial experience working for the United States Steel Research Laboratory, the Alcoa Technical Center, and Concurrent Technologies Corporation. Dr. Smelser served as a fulltime or adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Idaho and was a visiting research scientist at Colorado State University. Dr. Smelser is a member of the American Academy of Mechanics, the American Society for Engineering Education, Pi Tau Sigma, Sigma Xi, and Tau Beta Pi. He is also a member and Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Dr. Smelser's research interests are in the areas of process modeling including rolling, casting, drawing and extrusion of single and multi-phase materials, the micromechanics of material behavior and the inclusion of material structure into process models, and the failure of materials.

George E. MasePh.D. (1920-2007) was Emeritus Professor, Department of Metallurgy, Mechanics and Materials Science (MMM), College of Engineering, at Michigan State University. Dr. Mase received a B.M.E in Mechanical Engineering (1948) from the Ohio State University, Columbus. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI), Blacksburg, Virginia (1958). Previous to his initial appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Mechanics at Michigan State University in 1955, Dr. Mase taught at Pennsylvania State University (instructor), 1950-1951, and at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri (assistant professor), 1951- 1954. He was appointed associate professor in 1959 and professor in 1965, and served as acting chairperson of the MMM Department 1965-1966 and again in 1978 to 1979. He taught as visiting assistant professor at VPI during the summer terms, 1953 through 1956. Dr. Mase held membership in Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi. His research interests and publications were in the areas of continuum mechanics, viscoelasticity and biomechanics.