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Solid Mechanics

Solid mechanics is the branch of physics that is concerned with the manner in which solid materials handle applied stress, for example, in the form of external forces. It is also known as the theory of elasticity and is a sub-category of the larger branch of physics known as continuum mechanics.

A huge array of materials can be classified as solids: steel, glass, wood, plastic, even gels, soil and animal tissue. The classifications of stress can also vary substantially, including gentle breezes, the impact of a colliding car or the force of a bomb blast. Solid mechanics seeks to answer questions like, “How can we design a bullet-proof vest that is both light and efective?” “How can the bones and muscles of full-contact sport athletes be better protected by technology?” “What is the most effective way to cut and shape metal?” Solid mechanics uses computers and mathematics to optimally examine the movements and functions of solids by translating the data into equations and analyzing their computational results. These results are then the basis for improved designs and characterizations.

Web Resources On Solid Mechanics

Introduction to Solid Mechanics
Wikipedia: Solid Mechanics

Book Resources On Solid Mechanics

Classical and Computational Solid Mechanics by Y. C. Fung, Pin Tong
Nonlinear Solid Mechanics: A Continuum Approach for Engineering by Gerhard A. Holzapfel

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